ALL EYES ON CAPE TOWN AND SYDNEY: FOUR OLYMPIC QUOTAS UP FOR GRABS
The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), IFSC Africa, IFSC Oceania, the South African National Climbing Federation (SANCF) and Sport Climbing Australia (SCA) are excited to present the final two continental competitions that will seal the qualification path to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
The IFSC African Championships are scheduled for December 17 to 20 in Cape Town (RSA), while the IFSC Oceania Championships will take place in Sydney (AUS) on December 19 and 20.
Two climbers per competition — one female and one male — will earn a ticket to the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, thus completing the field of qualified athletes for the Sport Climbing competitions at Tokyo 2020.
The African Championships will see the women’s and men’s qualification rounds take place on December 17 and 18, respectively. On Saturday 19, the winner of the women’s combined event will become the first athlete to book a ticket to Japan, followed one day later by the champion of the men’s combined event. The African Championships will be streamed live on the competition’s YouTube channel.
The Oceania Championships, meanwhile, will run qualification rounds on December 19, with the finals being held the following day. The Oceania competition will be webcast on Sport Climbing Australia’s channel.
IFSC President Marco Scolaris said:
“It is time for the Southern Hemisphere to lead the IFSC to the conclusion of the Tokyo 2020 qualification process: we are all looking at Cape Town and Sydney with immense pride, and praise the commitment and dedication of the South African National Climbing Federation, Sport Climbing Australia and the two local organising committees. In these times of uncertainty, we stand for sport as a message of hope.”
Chris Naude, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee in Cape Town, said:
“The intensity of the competition with all eyes on Africa is a privilege for the South African National Climbing Federation. Our immense gratitude goes to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and the City of Cape Town, who have made this event possible through their financial support. We are excited to kick off international Sport Climbing in Africa and look forward to welcoming climbers from abroad very soon.”
Naomi Cleary, Director of Sport Climbing Australia, said:
“We’re really pleased to be able to bring this event to the world and introduce Australia and New Zealand’s most promising athletes through our live stream. This is the most exciting event on our calendar, and we look forward to selecting the last Olympic qualified athletes in Sport Climbing.”