Competing in front of a loud and passionate Grand Stand Arena, one of the many facilities of Foro Italico, both climbers won a spot in what would become their second consecutive Olympic participation – and the fact that they secured it in the city that hosted the Olympic Games in 1960, made it even sweeter.

Entering the women’s final round as the clear favourite – following the new world record she set in the qualification round – Miroslaw managed the pressure brilliantly, climbing faster race after race and eventually claiming first place with a 6.36 seconds-climb in the gold medal race.

“It was like magic. Anywhere in the world they say that every road leads to Rome, now my road to Paris starts here. I am really happy to be here, to be part of this event. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed an event like this one. I finally found a really good mindset, I’m really proud of myself, I’m emotionally and physically exhausted, but it was worth it,” said Miroslaw moments after the flower ceremony.

The 29-year-old specialist led an all-Polish podium that also featured Aleksandra Kalucka, second, and her sister Natalia, third. France’s Capucine Viglione lost the bronze medal race and concluded in fourth position.

For the women’s Speed qualification full results click here

38-year-old Bassa Mawem was the oldest competitor in the men’s event, and the only one, along with Italy’s Ludovico Fossali, who previously competed at Tokyo 2020.

Same as Miroslaw, Mawem also improved his climbing time race after race, taking advantage of a false start in his quart-final, and matching his personal best in the semi-final battle with Ukraine’s Hryhorii Ilchyshyn – 5.30 against his rival’s 5.39 – then prevailing over Polish experienced climber Marcin Dzienski with a stunning 5.28.

“I’m very happy, I knew I had two chance to qualify for the Olympics. I’ve always wanted to end my career at the best event in the world, and now I can. It was very hard to end my competition in Tokyo with an injury, now I just want to focus on being at my very best next year, in Paris,” said Mawem.

Dzienski, who previously had to re-run his semi-final against Germany’s Leander Carmanns because of a perfect tie between the two, placed second 5.34; Ilchyshyn won bronze, while Carmanns finished just outside the podium.

For the men’s Speed qualification full results click here

The next continental qualification event will be the Pan American Games Santiago 2023, followed by the IFSC European Qualifier in Laval, France. Events in Jakarta, Indonesia; Melbourne, Australia; and Pretoria, South Africa.

News and updates about the event will be available on the IFSC website , and on the Federation’s digital channels: Facebook , Instagram , X , LinkedIn , and exclusively for the Chinese audience, Douyin and Weibo

L/R: Aleksandra Miroslaw of Poland and Bassa Mawem of France pose with their tickets to Paris 2024Photo: Jan Virt/IFSC