Sport Climbing Provisionally Included in a Second Olympic Games
On the afternoon of June 25, 2019, the Paris 2024 proposal to include surfing, skateboarding, breaking and sport climbing in their summer Olympic Games was presented at the 134th International Olympic Committee Session in Lausanne, Switzerland. At the end of the presentation, the IOC voted unanimously to approve the proposal. The four sports will now enter an observation period, with the final decision of inclusion to be made at the IOC Executive Board meeting in December 2020.
The IFSC was represented at the session by IFSC President, Marco Maria SCOLARIS; IFSC Secretary General, Debra GAWRYCH and athlete representative, Petra KLINGLER.
Paris is where I was able to make a dream come true
KLINGER presented the proposed sport climbing format for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. The sport will feature a combined bouldering and lead climbing event represented by 40 athletes, and a separate speed climbing event represented by 32 athletes. This is an increase in the number of athletes that will be represented at Tokyo 2020, as well as an increase in total medals available. A total number of 248 athletes are expected to represent the four sports.
On her experience at the session and sport climbing’s preliminary inclusion in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, KLINGLER said, “It is my honor to be in Lausanne to share my love and passion for climbing with the IOC. My wish is, that we as climbers have the chance to grow in the Olympic spirit with participation in Paris 2024 - a city where climbing has its long history. Paris is where I was able to make a dream come true and I hope that in 2024 other athletes can experience such a unique, unforgettable and life-changing moment as I did. A moment with tears in the eyes and the biggest smile in the face and gratitude in the heart.”
Accessible, youth-oriented, creative and spectacular
The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee’s goal for their Olympic Games was to feature sports that are accessible, youth-oriented, creative and spectacular. The four sports chosen for the proposal were selected from 19 possible sports presented by their respective federations.
“I am delighted with the IOC Session’s vote in favor of our proposal to include breaking, sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games program. Our aim from the outset has been to highlight what has been the strength of the Games for 32 Olympiads now – the diversity of sports and the excitement that comes with performance – while also taking the opportunity afforded by the IOC to enhance the program and offer a new dimension. This is the synergy we have been striving for in proposing these four sports, which bring a real sense of innovation to the overall program of 28 Olympic sports. As well as being spectacular and creative, they generate strong engagement among young people. They also project the values that we hold dear in terms of openness and diversity. With the Session’s approval today, we can now move on to the next stage and continue our work with the IOC and the International Federations through to December 2020 and the final approval of the program.” Said Paris 2024 President Tony ESTANGUET.
With this provisional inclusion in a second Summer Olympic Games, the anticipation for Tokyo 2020 increases. The success of next year’s games will impact the final Paris 2024 program decision in December 2020.
Said SCOLARIS on the IOC’s decision. “Another hold up in our climb! The IFSC is proud to be part of Paris 2024 proposal. This provisional inclusion is a result of a collective work that, over the months, has given continuity to the initial operation, which led our sport to Tokyo. Together with the sports already confirmed, these four new proposed sports will offer to the world the best possible program for the Olympic Games. Therefore, we have to work harder than ever to organize an unforgettable event in Tokyo 2020, to secure our position for Paris 2024!”.
