During a press conference today in Paris, France, the Paris Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games (Paris 2024) confirmed a proposal to include four additional sports in the Sports Programme of the 33rd Summer Olympic Games: Breakdance, Skateboarding, Surfing and Sport Climbing.
Next Steps to Inclusion
The proposal will next be presented to the IOC Executive Board on March 26th-28th. If accepted, the proposal will then be put forward to the 134th IOC Session on 24th June in Lausanne, Switzerland. If approved, Sport Climbing will feature in the Summer Olympic Games for the second consecutive edition.
“It is again a great day: our climb goes on, and new challenges are taking shape beyond Tokyo. We are happy to see that Paris 2024 is supporting the new wave, which is strengthening the Olympic movement. We are grateful for the proposal’s recognition of the value of Sport Climbing and the work the IFSC has done. We are proud to be part of this process and we look forward to the next steps in the following months,” says Marco Scolaris, President of the IFSC.
The press conference was attended by Sport Climbing representatives Jérôme Meyer, IFSC Head of Olympic Coordination; Pierre You, President of the Fédération Française de la Montagne et de l'Escalade (FFME); and French star Sport Climbing athlete Julia Chanourdie.
Recognition of a Rapid Rise
With this proposal, Paris 2024 aims: “to support the development of four booming sports all over the world […] and to offer spectacular and sustainable Games that enhance the performance of athletes and engage youth and the general public, thanks to sports with a strong lifestyle dimension.”
Since the founding of the IFSC in 2007 and definitive recognition by the IOC in 2010, Sport Climbing has already achieved inclusion to the Sports Programmes of multiple Olympic events. In 2016, Sport Climbing was added to the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo and most recent Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, where Sport Climbing made its Olympic debut.
“Sport Climbing is making history in the Olympics and the world of sport. One century after 1924, there is now an opportunity at the next Olympic Games in Paris to celebrate a youthful sport, growing at a rapid pace all around the world. If there is any home of Sport Climbing, it is right here in France, and we know the entire climbing community is ready,” says Pierre You.
Enriching the Experience
Additionally, Paris 2024 plans to enrich the Sport Climbing event in 2024 by expanding from one to two distinct competitions, six to twelve medals and 40 to 72 athletes in total. Under the proposal, 16 women and 16 men would compete for six medals in the Speed discipline; 20 women and 20 men would compete for six medals based on the combination of results in the Bouldering and Lead disciplines.
“‘Innovative, connected and engaging,’ Olympic Games Paris 2024 have been announced as ‘Revolutionary Olympic Games.’ The planned expansions for 2024 would create the opportunity for more Sport Climbing countries and athletes to express their talents on the Olympic stage. As the IFSC and our stakeholders have been doing for the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires and the Olympic Games in Tokyo, we look forward to working closely with the IOC and Paris 2024 to meet high expectations and make spectators of Sport Climbing active participants, from anywhere in the world,” concludes Marco Scolaris.
Show Your Support!
Get involved on the #ClimbToParis and show the world #ItsYourTurn by sharing the news on social media and posting on the #SportClimbing2024 Facebook event!
