Sport climbing is on the program of the Olympic Games for the first time, from August 3 to 6, in Tokyo 2021. This impressive discipline, which will also be on the menu for Paris 2024, is counting on…

Tokyo 2021: climbing, the sport that climbs thanks to the Games

Frenchwoman Anouck Jaubert at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. Pool via REUTERS - @ AUO2

Text by: David Kalfa Follow

5 mins

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From our special correspondent in Tokyo,

Tokyo Bay for the setting. A blazing sun then the humid night of a Tokyo summer for climate. Dizzying slopes and / or improbable angles, climbed by acrobatic athletes. Refreshing curiosity and enthusiasm from the few who are allowed to attend the Olympics. From August 3 to 6, 2021, sport climbing, a discipline still relatively unknown to the general public, is displayed in mondovision, thanks to the Olympic Games.

A welcome spotlight for the French Julia Chanourdie, competing this August 6, at the Aomi Urban Sports Park.

“

It appeals to us, it's something we don't really know

,” she says.

There is a very impressive side too.
I think it's a discipline that appeals to you.
I am absolutely delighted that it is there, because for me it is a discipline that really has its place at the Games.
I am very happy to see the enthusiasm there is around.
It's cool because that means it's going to last a few more years

”.

An example of speed escalation.

Today sport climbing makes its Olympic Games debut!

Can't wait!

🧗pic.twitter.com / 8KsaBabT4o

- Olympics (@Olympics) August 2, 2021 An example of speed climbing.

Long-term commitment to the Olympic Games

After a trial run at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games

[1]

, climbing made its entry into the program of the major Olympics on Tuesday.

And she will still be there in Paris 2024 and does not intend to stop there.

“

Now that we've secured our spot for two editions of the Olympics, it's time to also start working to ensure that sport climbing is included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond,

” said the boss of the International Federation (IFSC), Marco Solaris.

The IFSC now has 75 full member federations, around twenty associated with the continental or observer level.

Sport climbing at the Olympic Games: instructions for use, by France Info

A discipline still developing in Africa

In Africa, the discipline, as practiced in Tokyo, is in its infancy.

An African Confederation (IFSC African Council) was officially created in February 2021, with four full members: South Africa, Mauritius, Rwanda and Uganda.

In total, eight African countries, including Algeria, Cameroon and Senegal, operate in the sphere of the IFSC.

“

Outdoor sport climbing is widely practiced across Africa

,” says South African George Stainton, president of the IFSC African Council.

Sport climbing as an indoor competition is practiced mainly in South Africa and a little in Kenya and Malawi

”. The South African, however, is confident for the

future

: “

With the Olympics, there is a huge difference in terms of interest.

At the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, South Africans Christopher Cosser and Erin Sterkenburg represent the continent.

The IFSC African Council wishes to organize an African Championship every year, in Cape Town or in Johannesburg.

So that the discipline continues to progress and that other nationalities are represented in Paris 2024, and more if affinities.

South African Christopher Cosser in action on August 3.

REUTERS - CLODAGH KILCOYNE

[1] The YOG are reserved for athletes aged 15 to 18 and take place every four years, like the Olympics.

Tokyo 2021: climbing, the sport that climbs thanks to the Games

Tokyo 2021: climbing, the sport that climbs thanks to the Games

Long-term commitment to the Olympic Games

A discipline still developing in Africa

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