Sport climbing has solidified its place as a thrilling Olympic event, captivating audiences with its blend of strength, strategy, and precision. The sport climbing combined Olympics event, particularly at the Paris 2024 Games, showcased the evolution of this dynamic sport. Unlike its debut in Tokyo 2020, where bouldering, lead, and speed climbing were merged into a single combined format, Paris 2024 separated speed climbing, allowing the sport climbing combined Olympics to focus exclusively on bouldering and lead disciplines. This article explores the highlights, results, and significance of the sport climbing combined Olympics at Paris 2024, offering insights for fans and aspiring climbers alike.
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What Is the Sport Climbing Combined Olympics Event?
The sport climbing combined Olympics event tests athletes’ versatility across two disciplines: bouldering and lead climbing. In bouldering, climbers tackle short, complex routes (called “problems”) on a 4.5-meter wall without ropes, aiming to complete them in the fewest attempts within a time limit. Lead climbing challenges athletes to ascend a 15-meter wall with a rope, striving to reach the highest point possible within six minutes. Points are awarded based on holds reached, with a maximum of 100 points per discipline, and the combined score determines the ranking.
This format, refined for Paris 2024, highlights the technical and physical prowess of climbers, making the sport climbing combined-Olympics a showcase of mental and physical endurance. The separation of speed climbing into its own event addressed criticisms from Tokyo 2020, where the inclusion of all three disciplines in one event favored all-rounders over specialists.
Paris 2024: Sport Climbing Combined Olympics Highlights
The sport climbing combined-Olympics at Paris 2024, held from August 5 to 10 at the Le Bourget Sport Climbing Venue, featured 40 athletes (20 men and 20 women) vying for medals. The event was a spectacle of athleticism, with climbers facing unknown routes that tested their problem-solving skills and composure under pressure. Here’s a breakdown of the men’s and women’s finals, showcasing why the sport climbing combined-Olympics continues to captivate global audiences.
Men’s Sport Climbing Combined Olympics Results
The men’s sport climbing combined Olympics final on August 9 delivered unexpected drama. Great Britain’s Toby Roberts, aged 19, clinched gold with a combined score of 155.2 points, leveraging a strong bouldering performance (63.1 points) and an exceptional lead climb (92.1 points). Japan’s Sorato Anraku, the pre-event favorite, took silver with 145.4 points after a late slip in the lead portion cost him the top spot. Austria’s Jakob Schubert secured bronze with 139.6 points, bolstered by a near-perfect lead score of 96.0. American Colin Duffy narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth with 136.4 points.
Roberts’ victory was a testament to the unpredictability of the sport climbing combined Olympics. His ability to top two boulders and maintain composure on the lead wall showcased the strategic depth required in this event.
Women’s Sport Climbing Combined Olympics Results
The women’s sport climbing combined Olympics final on August 10 was dominated by Slovenia’s Janja Garnbret, who defended her Tokyo 2020 gold with a commanding performance, earning 168.5 points. Garnbret, an eight-time world champion, topped three of four boulder problems and climbed higher in the lead portion to secure her second Olympic title. American Brooke Raboutou claimed silver with 156.0 points, becoming the first U.S. woman to medal in Olympic sport climbing. Austria’s Jessica Pilz rounded out the podium with bronze, overcoming a weaker boulder score with a strong lead climb.
Garnbret’s dominance and Raboutou’s historic achievement highlighted the growing competitiveness of the sport climbing combined Olympics. South Korea’s Seo Chae-hyun, a lead specialist, finished eighth but showed promise for future events.
Why the Sport Climbing Combined Olympics Format Matters
The sport climbing combined Olympics format in Paris 2024 was a significant improvement over Tokyo 2020. By separating speed climbing, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) ensured that boulder and lead specialists could shine without needing to excel in the distinct skillset of speed climbing. This change doubled the number of medal events to four per gender (boulder/lead combined and speed) and increased the athlete quota from 40 to 68, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity.
The scoring system, refined since its debut at a 2022 test event in Barcelona, awards points for precision and efficiency, making the sport climbing combined Olympics a true test of versatility. Athletes collaborate during route observation, adding a unique collaborative element to the competition, yet the pressure to execute remains intense. This format not only showcases athletic ability but also appeals to younger audiences, aligning with the International Olympic Committee’s goal to modernize the Games.
Key Athletes and Moments in Sport Climbing Combined Olympics
The sport climbing combined Olympics at Paris 2024 featured standout performances that will shape the sport’s future:
- Toby Roberts (GBR): His gold medal at 19 marked him as a rising star, with his lead climb earning one of the highest scores of the final.
- Janja Garnbret (SLO): Her back-to-back Olympic golds cement her as the greatest female climber in competition history.
- Brooke Raboutou (USA): Her silver medal and friendship with Garnbret added a heartwarming narrative to the sport climbing combined Olympics.
- Seo Chae-hyun (KOR): Despite finishing eighth, her lead semifinal score of 72.1 points showed her potential as a future medal contender.
Memorable moments included Anraku’s late slip in the men’s final, which handed Roberts the gold, and Garnbret’s near-flawless bouldering round, where she and Raboutou were the only climbers to top three problems. These moments underscored the high stakes and raw emotion of the sport climbing combined Olympics.
The Future of Sport Climbing Combined Olympics
With sport climbing confirmed as a mandatory sport for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the sport climbing combined Olympics is poised for further growth. The Paris 2024 format is likely to persist, with bouldering and lead combined as one event and speed as a separate competition. The IFSC aims to expand the sport’s reach, potentially introducing individual boulder and lead events in future Games if additional medals are approved.
The sport climbing combined Olympics also benefits from its environmental ethos, with competitions held on artificial walls to preserve natural rock formations. As the sport attracts younger athletes—nearly 40% of climbers are under 18—its Olympic presence will continue to inspire new talent.
How to Get Involved in Sport Climbing
Inspired by the sport climbing combined Olympics? Here’s how to start:
- Find a Climbing Gym: Local gyms offer bouldering and lead climbing facilities for beginners.
- Join a Community: Connect with climbing clubs or online forums like Reddit’s r/CompetitionClimbing for tips and events.
- Train Smart: Focus on strength, flexibility, and problem-solving skills to excel in bouldering and lead.
- Follow the Pros: Watch IFSC World Cup events or follow athletes like Garnbret and Roberts on social media for inspiration.
Conclusion
The sport climbing combined Olympics at Paris 2024 was a triumph of athleticism and innovation, showcasing the sport’s evolution from its Tokyo debut. With unforgettable performances from Toby Roberts, Janja Garnbret, and Brooke Raboutou, the event highlighted the skill and drama that make sport climbing a must-watch Olympic spectacle. As the sport heads to Los Angeles 2028, the sport climbing combined Olympics will continue to push boundaries, inspiring climbers and fans worldwide.
Want to dive deeper into sport climbing? Check out the IFSC’s official website for upcoming events or visit Olympics.com for full Paris 2024 results. Start your climbing journey today and scale new heights
