“The historical, unforgettable World Cup in Curitiba, the first in Brazil and in South America, is the result of years and years of passion, commitment and hard work – said IFSC President Marco Scolaris after the event. - It is a dream that comes true after an exemplary, long-lasting collaboration between the IFSC and CBEscalada. It was so touching meeting my old friends in their homeland: Janine, Rafael, Rosita, and of course Thiago. Our climbers now know what “la torcida” is: the electrifying atmosphere the Brazilian fans can create. All athletes declared they had never experienced anything like that”.

Another sports legend attended the event: Emanuel Rego (in the photo with Scolaris, on the right, with Emilio Trautwein, Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba, and Thiago Campacci, President CBEscalada), the Beach Volleyball Olympic gold medallist in Athens 2004, silver in London 2012, and bronze in Beijing 2008. He is now CEO of the Brazilian Olympic Committee: “It was great to hear his words of praise for our sport and the IFSC—commented Scolaris—as well as his support for the development of climbing. May this event become a milestone for the rise of climbing in South America.”

National Federation leaders of the Continent met with IFSC President Scolaris and IFSC Research & Development Director Silvia Verdolini to exchange information on the current challenges NFs face and how to create opportunities for the future.

National Federation representatives from across the Pan American continent gathered in Brazil for this pivotal meeting, which marked a significant milestone in the development of Climbing in the continent.

IFSC President Marco Scolaris opened the session by emphasising the importance of strengthening the Pan American Sport Climbing ecosystem. He also praised the successful event in Brazil, hosted by NF President Thiago Campacci.

The meeting covered key topics, including a review of National Federations’ status, infrastructure challenges, multi-sport event strategies, and the work towards the IFSC’s Pan America Action Plan.

Silvia Verdolini, IFSC Research & Development Director, presented results from a recent survey of Pan American NFs. With 13 out of 17 countries responding, the data showed encouraging progress in technical roles, though further development is still needed.

The session concluded with a discussion on the Pan America Action Plan, which outlines priorities including competition calendars, capacity-building, financial planning, and enhanced regional coordination. Tailored support programmes will address the diverse realities of countries across the continent, ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth for sport climbing in Pan America.