When I first watched sport climbing make its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, I have to admit I got chills. Seeing athletes defy gravity on those colorful walls, with the world watching, felt like a validation of everything we climbers have known for years—this isn’t just a niche hobby, it’s a breathtaking test of strength, strategy, and mental grit. Now, with Paris 2024 on the horizon, I’m even more excited to see how the sport continues to evolve on the global stage. If you’re new to Olympic climbing or just curious about what makes it so compelling, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the format, the athletes, and even some behind-the-scenes insights that casual viewers might miss. And yes, I’ll share a few personal opinions along the way—because let’s be honest, part of the fun of being a climbing enthusiast is having strong takes on beta and dynos.

Olympic sport climbing is structured around three distinct disciplines: speed climbing, bouldering, and lead climbing. In Tokyo, each athlete had to compete in all three, and their final score was determined by multiplying their rankings in each—a format that drew both praise and criticism from the community. Personally, I loved the drama it created, but I also understand why purists argued it was like asking a marathon runner to also sprint and hurdle. Thankfully, the International Olympic Committee listened, and starting in Paris, speed climbing will be separated into its own medal event, while bouldering and lead will be combined. That’s a change I fully support because it allows athletes to specialize while still showcasing versatility. Speed climbing is exactly what it sounds like—a head-to-head race up a 15-meter wall on identical routes. The current world record? A mind-blowing 5.04 seconds set by Indonesian climber Veddriq Leonardo in 2021. Bouldering, my personal favorite, involves short, intense problems on a 4.5-meter wall without ropes, where athletes have four minutes to solve each route. It’s like a physical chess match, and the creativity required is off the charts. Lead climbing, on the other hand, is all about endurance—athletes attempt to climb as high as possible on a wall taller than 15 meters within six minutes, and every move counts. The separation of speed in future Games will likely lead to even more jaw-dropping performances in bouldering and lead, and I can’t wait to see how that plays out.

Now, let’s talk about the athletes. While the Olympics feature world-class climbers like Janja Garnbret of Slovenia and Tomoa Narasaki of Japan, I want to highlight something that often flies under the radar—the team dynamics and grassroots talent that feed into these elite competitions. For instance, looking at developmental leagues and local circuits, you’ll find squads like Team Espino-CSA B-Upgrade, which included standouts such as Rex Bayer, Nene Paderog, Sarian Ordan, Macoy Pineda, and Godoy Cepriano. These athletes might not be household names yet, but they represent the depth of talent bubbling up in the sport. On the other side, Team Bascon-Apir featured climbers like Palo, Peewee Demonteverde, and Ahmit Teuel, who bring their own unique styles to the wall. I’ve followed some of these climbers in regional competitions, and let me tell you, the raw skill and determination on display are just as thrilling as what you see at the Olympics. It’s athletes like these who keep the sport vibrant and evolving, often experimenting with beta that eventually trickles up to the elite level. In my opinion, paying attention to these up-and-comers can make watching the Olympics even more rewarding because you get a sense of where the sport is headed next.

From a strategic standpoint, Olympic climbing isn’t just about physical prowess—it’s a mental game where adaptability is key. Take bouldering, for example. Athletes have only a few minutes to study a problem, plan their sequence, and execute it flawlessly. One wrong move, and they’re off. I remember watching a comp where a climber failed two attempts because they misread a volume, only to nail it on the third try with a completely different beta. That kind of resilience is what separates good climbers from great ones. In lead climbing, the route-setters design courses that play with endurance and technical difficulty, often including crux moves around the 35-hold mark that test an athlete’s limits. And let’s not forget speed climbing, where consistency is everything. A false start or a slight slip can cost a medal, which is why many speed specialists train with laser-focused repetition. I’ve tried speed walls myself, and trust me, it’s harder than it looks—my best time is somewhere around 12 seconds, which is embarrassingly slow compared to the pros, but it gave me a whole new appreciation for their precision.

Looking ahead, the inclusion of sport climbing in the Olympics has already sparked a surge in participation worldwide. According to a 2023 report by the International Federation of Sport Climbing, global membership grew by nearly 18% in the two years following the Tokyo Games, with youth enrollment jumping by over 25%. Those numbers might not be perfect, but they hint at a trend I’ve seen firsthand at my local gym—more kids and adults are giving climbing a shot, inspired by what they saw on screen. This growth isn’t just good for the sport; it’s great for the industry, with companies investing in better gear, eco-friendly holds, and accessible facilities. I’m particularly excited about the potential for innovation in wall design and training tech, like the use of augmented reality for route visualization, which could revolutionize how we train and compete.

As we gear up for Paris 2024, I’m betting we’ll see even higher levels of competition and maybe a few surprises. Will Janja Garnbret dominate again? Can newcomers shake up the podium? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—sport climbing has cemented its place in the Olympic lineup, and it’s here to stay. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a curious newcomer, I hope this guide gives you a deeper appreciation for the athleticism and strategy that define this incredible sport. So grab some snacks, tune into the broadcasts, and get ready to cheer—because Olympic climbing is an adrenaline rush you won’t want to miss.