The IFSC is pleased to welcome the historic announcement of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), officially confirming that Para Climbing will make its debut at the Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) with eight medal events and a total of 80 athletes – 40 men and 40 women.

This decision marks the culmination of years of development by the IFSC, the athletes, and the global Climbing community, also reflecting the continued growth and recognition of Para Climbing a top-tier, inclusive, and inspiring sport.

The eight medal events at the Paralympics LA28 will span across three macro impairment categories – visually impaired, limbs deficiency, and range and power – and will be equally divided between men and women.

The events are as follows:

• Visually impaired: women’s B2 and men’s B1
• Upper limb deficiency: women’s and men’s AU2
• Lower limb deficiency: women’s and men’s AL2
• Range and power: women’s and men’s RP1

These sport classes will ensure a broad and inclusive representation of athletes across impairment types, while aligning with the IPC’s commitment to competitive excellence and fairness in sport classification.

IFSC Marco Scolaris said: “Today is a another great day for the Climbing family. To see Para Climbing included in the Paralympic Games with gender parity and an inclusive event structure is the result of years of work of the IFSC team, and the incredible resilience of our athletes. We are grateful to the IPC for their confidence and excited for the journey towards LA28.”

The inclusion of Para Climbing follows its recent successes at IFSC World Championships and World Cups, where participation and visibility have steadily increased, and elite climbers from around the world found a powerful platform to showcase their skills and tell their stories.

Back in June 2024, the Organising Committee of LA28 proposed Para Climbing as an additional sport in the Paralympics programme, a decision that was formally approved by the IPC later that same month.

Following this year’s inaugural Para Climbing World Cup in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, preparations for LA28 will continue at full pace, with upcoming events in Innsbruck, Austria; and Laval, France; while the ninth edition of the Para Climbing World Championships is set to take place in Seoul, South Korea, from 20 to 25 September.

News and updates about all Para Climbing events will be available on the IFSC website and on the Federation’s digital channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and exclusively for the Chinese audience, Douyin, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu.