The sport climbing combined event at the 2024 Paris Olympics promises to be a thrilling competition, featuring a blend of bouldering and lead climbing.
This format, which has evolved since its debut in Tokyo 2020, will see athletes competing in two distinct disciplines to determine the overall champions.
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Event Structure and Format
Sport climbing at the Paris 2024 Olympics is divided into two main events per gender: Boulder & Lead Combined and Speed Climbing. The combined event includes:
- Bouldering: Athletes navigate a series of fixed routes (problems) on a climbing wall within a time limit, without ropes. The goal is to complete as many problems as possible with the fewest attempts.
- Lead Climbing: Climbers attempt to ascend as high as possible on a 15-meter wall within a specified time, using ropes for safety. The height achieved determines their score.
Key Athletes to Watch
The competition will feature some of the world’s top climbers, including:
- Janja Garnbret (Slovenia): An eight-time world champion and the reigning Olympic gold medallist in women’s bouldering and lead. Garnbret is a heavy favorite due to her consistent dominance in the sport.
- Alberto Ginés López (Spain): The reigning men’s Olympic champion from Tokyo 2020, known for his impressive performance in lead climbing.
- Brooke Raboutou (USA): An emerging star who won the bouldering event at the 2023 IFSC World Cup in Hachioji, Japan, and is considered a strong contender for gold.
Competition Schedule
The sport climbing events are scheduled to take place from August 5 to August 10, 2024, at the Le Bourget climbing venue in Saint-Denis. Key dates include:
- August 5: Men’s Bouldering Semifinal, Women’s Speed Qualification
- August 6: Women’s Bouldering Semifinal, Men’s Speed Qualification
- August 7: Men’s Lead Semifinal, Women’s Speed Final
- August 8: Women’s Lead Semifinal, Men’s Speed Final
- August 9: Men’s Boulder & Lead Combined Final
- August 10: Women’s Boulder & Lead Combined Final
Viewing the Competition
Fans can catch all the action live through various media rights holders. Detailed schedules and results can be found on the official Olympics website and other affiliated broadcasters such as NBC Olympics.
