First, a quick rewind. Sport climbing is young but fast‑moving. It burst onto the Olympic stage at Tokyo 2020 as a single combined showdown across Speed, Boulder, and Lead. Meanwhile, Paris 2024 trimmed the format to a boulder‑plus‑lead duet, letting pure Speed shine on its own. Next, the action shifts to Los Angeles 2028. Climbers will chase six medal sets—Speed, Boulder, and Lead for men and women. The athlete quota rises to 76, and para‑climbing joins the Paralympics for the very first time.
Olympic Climbing at Tokyo 2020 Review
Tokyo 2020 was sport climbing’s coming‑out party, and it packed three totally different disciplines—speed, boulder, and lead—into one “everything bagel” final.
Quick check the olympic climbing results, for the men, Spain’s Alberto Ginés López sprinted, crimped, and powered his way to history’s first gold. Slovenia’s Janja Garnbret then did Janja things: she topped almost every boulder, cruised the lead route, and sealed the inaugural women’s title. Their medals gave climbing instant headline cred, but the scoring equation (rank 1 × rank 2 × rank 3) left even math teachers scratching their heads. How do you celebrate a sport if you need a calculator after every move?
Still, the spectacle worked. TV viewers saw speed runs in under seven seconds, dyno‑heavy boulders that looked like parkour on vertical ice cream cones, and lead routes so steep they nearly grew their own stalactites.
Climbing Olympics 2024 in Paris
Fast‑forward to Paris. Organisers ditched the calculus and served up a simpler entrée: boulder + lead only, with speed rewarded by its own medal. Here’s the recipe gear‑savvy fans now follow:
-
Boulder round – Athletes tackle four puzzles, four minutes each. Every top is worth 25 points; lower zone holds add 5 or 10. Ace all four and you bank a crisp 100.
- Lead round – After a breather, climbers rope in for one daunting 15‑metre marathon. Each handhold scores progressively; reach the top and collect another 100.
- Simple math – Add the two totals. Highest score wins. Voilà—no more frantic spreadsheets.
Scoring changed, too. A tidy 200‑point ceiling replaced Tokyo’s multiplication maze. Many purists still beg for three separate podiums, yet most admit Paris struck a better mix of show and sport. Can an Olympic rulebook learn on the fly?
Climbing Olympics Results 2024 Review
Men’s Boulder & Lead
- Gold – Toby Roberts (GBR) 155.2
- Silver – Sorato Anraku (JPN) 145.4
- Bronze – Jakob Schubert (AUT) 139.6
Men’s Speed
-
Gold – Veddriq Leonardo (INA) 4.78
-
Silver – Peng Wu (CHN) 4.77
-
Bronze – Sam Watson (USA) 4.74
Roberts’ upset shocked favorites and proved under-20 climbers can rule Olympic walls.
Women’s Boulder & Lead
-
Gold – Janja Garnbret (SLO) 168.5
-
Silver – Brooke Raboutou (USA)
-
Bronze – Jessica Pilz (AUT)
Women’s Speed
-
Gold – Aleksandra Miroslaw (POL) 6.10
-
Silver – Lijuan Deng (CHN) 6.18
-
Bronze – Aleksandra Kalucka (POL) 6.53
Garnbret’s repeat made her the first double Olympic champion in climbing, even after a finger scare.
Looking Ahead to LA 28
Big news: the IOC approved six separate medal events: Speed, Boulder, and Lead for each gender—plus a total quota of 76 athletes, up from 68. That means specialists finally get their own spotlight.
Para-climbing will also debut at the Paralympics, bringing adaptive athletes onto the world’s largest stage.
The LA28 committee’s Games plan stresses existing venues and iconic backdrops, promising dramatic “high-vis” walls against downtown skylines. Add NBC’s fresh $3 billion rights deal and fans should expect wall-to-wall Peacock coverage.
Will the sport keep expanding? IFSC leaders hint that combined titles might return alongside the three singles—but for now, three disciplines feel right.
FAQ
How much will Olympic tickets cost in 2028?
Prices aren’t set. Paris opened sales 18 months out; LA28 will likely mimic that timeline in early 2027. Sign up at LA28.org or AXS.com for alerts.
Where can I stream climbing Olympics 2024 replays and LA 2028 live?
NBC owns U.S. rights through 2036—every climb airs live on Peacock, with highlights on NBCOlympics.com.
How do I volunteer for the Olympics 2028?
Expect applications in late 2026. You must be 18 +, available 9–10 days, and cover your own lodging. Watch LA28’s volunteer page or follow their newsletter.
What about para-climbing tickets?
They’ll be bundled with Paralympic sales in 2027. The IPC confirmed para-climbing’s inclusion, so accessible seating will be prioritized.
Can I buy combined-event-only passes?
Packages haven’t been announced, but Paris sold discipline-specific sessions; LA28 organizers indicate a similar modular model—stay tuned!
