Speed Climbing is one of the most addictive sports to watch! Back for the second time at the Paris 2024 Olympics Speed climbing is one of the three disciplines in sport climbing, alongside lead climbing and bouldering, and it has been part of the Olympic Games since its debut at the Tokyo Olympics.
The aim of Speed climbing is to be the fastest to reach the top of a 15m wall. Competitors race in pairs on identical routes and climbers are timed from the moment they leave the starting holds until they touch the finish plate at the top of the wall.
The 15m wall has a standardised route and is identical worldwide, consisting of a continuous 5 degree overhang with 20 large holds and 11 smaller foot holds. Speed walls use auto-belays which automatically take up the slack and catch the climber in case of a fall.
During competitions qualifying climbers race head to head in pairs in knockout rounds.
Summit Up is very proud to be one of the few centres in the UK with an official IFSC Speed Climbing Wall.
The world record for men’s Speed Climbing is set by American Sam Watson with an incredible time of 4.79 seconds. The Olympic records are held by Aleksandra Miroslaw from Poland with a time of 6.84 seconds (womens) and Bassa Mawen from France with a time of 5.45 seconds (mens).
In Tokyo in 2021 Sports Climbing combined all three disciplines, however in the Paris 2024 Olympics, the format has been adjusted. Speed climbing will be a separate event, while lead climbing and bouldering will be combined into a single event.
Climb like a Champion! Try Sports Climbing with our Taster Sessions!
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In the Olympic Games, sport climbing consists of three disciplines: speed climbing, lead climbing, and bouldering. Athletes compete in all three disciplines, and their combined scores determine the overall winners. Lets have a look at the disciplines:
