Sport Climbing Combined Olympics 2024: Everything You Need to Know
Sport climbing is gaining momentum and recognition worldwide, especially with its inclusion in the Olympic Games. The 2024 Summer Olympics are set to feature an exciting array of sport climbing events. Here’s an in-depth look at what to expect, notable athletes, and key dates for the sport climbing combined Olympics.
Competition Sport Climbing Combined Olympics 2024
Summer Olympics
Competition climbing at the 2024 Summer Olympics is scheduled to run from August 5 to 10 at the Le Bourget Sport Climbing Venue in Saint-Denis. This marks the second time sport climbing has been featured in the Olympics since its official debut in Tokyo 2020. The number of medal events will double from two in the previous edition, as the boulder-and-lead tandem has been separated from the speed format. Additionally, the number of climbers will increase from 40 to 68.
Venue
The climbing competition will take place at the Le Bourget Sport Climbing Venue in Le Bourget, a suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis in Paris. Along with the aquatic center in Saint-Denis, the climbing venue will be one of the two sports facilities constructed specifically for the Games.
Competition Format
Since sport climbing was added to the Olympics for the 2020 Summer Olympics, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) has advocated for three separate medal events: bouldering, lead, and speed. However, climbing in Tokyo 2020 was limited to a single ‘combined’ format for each gender. The format, which multiplied a placement from each discipline, drew criticism from athletes, prompting significant overlap between boulder-and-lead specialists and speed climbing specialists.
For Paris 2024, the International Olympic Committee decided to award four medals in two separate disciplines per gender, namely, boulder-and-lead combined and speed.
Sport Climbing Combined Olympics 2024
Speed Climbing
Speed climbing will be a standalone event, following the current standard single-elimination competition speed climbing format, with athletes climbing side-by-side up a 15-meter wall.
Sport Climbing Combined Olympics 2024
Boulder-and-Lead Combined
At the 2020 Summer Olympics, points were calculated by multiplying each athlete’s position in lead, boulder, and speed, with the athlete who attained the smallest total winning. With speed separated from the combined format for Paris 2024, the IFSC has introduced a system that computes the total score from the lead and boulder phases, with the athlete who garners the most points winning.
The proposed scoring format will be distributed as follows: an athlete can earn a maximum of 200 points. The maximum points for the boulder phase is 100; each of the four problems is worth up to 25. Athletes earn 5 points for reaching the first zone, 10 for the second, and the full 25 for the top. A tenth of a point (0.1) is subtracted for each failed attempt to reach the next scoring position.
The maximum points for the lead phase are 100, attained by reaching and topping the route. An athlete receives points for the final 40 moves of a route. Counting from the top, the last 10 moves earn 4 points each, the previous 10 moves earn 3 each, the next 10 moves earn 2 each, and the earlier 10 moves earn 1 point each. Moves below the final 40 do not collect any points.
This scoring format was first used (with a slightly different point distribution system) in March 2022 at the Sharma Climbing test event in Barcelona, Spain, before becoming internationally available to the sport climbers at two subsequent events: the IFSC Climbing European Championships in Munich, Germany (August 2022), and the IFSC Climbing World Cup series in Morioka, Japan (October 2022).
Sport Climbing Combined Olympics 2024 Qualification
A total of 68 quota places (28 for speed and 40 for boulder-and-lead combined) are available for Paris 2024, a 70% increase from the Tokyo 2020 roster size (40). Each NOC is entitled to enter a maximum of four climbers (two per gender) in the two separate formats.
The qualification period commenced at the 2023 IFSC Climbing World Championships, which took place between August 1 and 12 in Bern, Switzerland. There, ten spots were awarded to the highest-ranked climbers, respecting the two-athlete NOC limit for each gender: the top three finishers for the boulder-and-lead combined, along with the champion and runner-up for speed climbing.
The remainder of the total quota will be awarded to twenty eligible climbers for the boulder-and-lead combined and ten for speed at each of the international qualification events (Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania) over a three-month-long period (September to December 2023). Further qualification opportunities will be available at a trio of Olympic Qualifier Series events held between March and June 2024.
As the host country, France has a single spot reserved for a French climber of each gender in each discipline if France does not otherwise have an athlete who qualifies. Four more quota places (two per gender) are reserved for the NOCs competing in each category under the Universality rule.
Introduction to Sport Climbing at the Olympics
Sport climbing made its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, captivating audiences with its blend of strength, speed, and strategy. The sport is set to return for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, where athletes will compete in three disciplines: Speed, Bouldering, and Lead.
What is the Combined Format?
In the combined format, climbers’ performances across the three disciplines are aggregated to determine the final standings. This format tests the versatility and overall skill of the athletes, making it a thrilling event to watch.
Key Dates for Sport Climbing Combined Olympics 2024
The sport climbing events are scheduled to take place over several days. Here are the key dates to mark on your calendar:
Sport Climbing Combined Olympics 2024
-Qualification Rounds: August 2-3, 2024
-Finals: August 5-6, 2024
Notable Athletes to Watch
Keep an eye on these standout climbers as they vie for Olympic glory:
– Sorato Anraku: This young prodigy from Japan is expected to make waves in the climbing world.
– Indian Athletes: While sport climbing is still growing in India, there are several talented climbers to watch as they make their mark on the international stage.
Sport Climbing Combined Olympics 2024 Google Doodle
In a nod to the growing popularity of sport climbing, Google has celebrated the sport with a special doodle. This doodle not only honors the athletes but also brings awareness to the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics.
Sport Climbing Combined Olympics 2024 Schedule and Results
The combined event schedule is structured to test climbers across the three disciplines. Here’s a brief overview of the event format:
– **Speed Climbing**: Athletes race up a 15-meter wall.
– **Bouldering**: Climbers solve as many problems as possible on a 4.5-meter wall within a time limit.
– **Lead Climbing**: Athletes climb as high as possible on a 15-meter wall within a set time.
Conclusion
The 2024 Summer Olympics promise to be an exhilarating showcase for sport climbing. With its unique combined format, notable athletes, and global recognition, sport climbing is set to inspire and excite audiences worldwide. Be sure to follow the events closely and cheer on your favorite climbers as they reach new heights.