Jumping, sprinting, horseback archery, swimming, and climbing — these are known as the five most fundamental human abilities. Today, the first four have all found their corresponding sports in the Olympic family, and climbing, known as the “vertical journey,” has also been listed as an official candidate sport for the Olympics. Now, to showcase humanity’s comprehensive athletic capabilities, reflect the inclusiveness of the Olympics, and promote the widespread adoption of climbing, we call on outdoor enthusiasts and climbers around the world to take action. Join us (the IFSC, International Federation of Sport Climbing) and unite in supporting the inclusion of sport climbing in the Olympics.
Since sport climbing was first shortlisted as an Olympic candidate sport in 2011, with the support and encouragement of outdoor enthusiasts and climbers worldwide, we have worked tirelessly across the globe. We sincerely hope that sport climbing will ultimately become a competition event in the 2020 Olympics. Today, as the dream draws closest to reality, its fulfillment depends on your support.
On May 29, 2013, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, the IFSC and official representatives of other sports will present their respective sports to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). On the same day, the IOC will decide which sports will enter the final round of candidate selection in September 2013. From the final list of eight sports, only one will be chosen to become an Olympic event in 2020 — an opportunity for the selected sport, its athletes, and its fans to shine on the global stage every four years.
We are unanimous in believing that sport climbing will bring a fresh highlight to the Olympics, and we are confident it has a strong chance of being included. We have now reached the semifinals: let’s work together and move forward toward the finals!
We are unanimous in believing that sport climbing will bring a fresh highlight to the Olympics, and we are confident it has a strong chance of being included. We have now reached the semifinals: let’s work together and move forward toward the finals!
The Responsibility of the Climbing Community
For the IOC, the level of public participation in a sport is a crucial factor influencing their decision and serves as strong evidence of the sport’s popularity. Fortunately, sport climbing enjoys a passionate and highly engaged fan base. Since June 2012, climbing enthusiasts have shown their support for the 2020 Olympic dream by joining the Sport Climbing Facebook page. The IFSC would like to thank these 20,000 Facebook fans. But to ensure the successful inclusion of sport climbing in the Olympics, we need even more of your support and involvement!
For the IOC, the level of public participation in a sport is a crucial factor influencing their decision and serves as strong evidence of the sport’s popularity. Fortunately, sport climbing enjoys a passionate and highly engaged fan base. Since June 2012, climbing enthusiasts have shown their support for the 2020 Olympic dream by joining the Sport Climbing Facebook page. The IFSC would like to thank these 20,000 Facebook fans. But to ensure the successful inclusion of sport climbing in the Olympics, we need even more of your support and involvement!
Please share the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sportclimbing2020) with others as soon as possible, encouraging more climbers to follow it. Let’s demonstrate to the IOC our ability to gather support from over 100,000 climbers within just a few weeks. We have also launched an official Weibo account in China — stay tuned (http://weibo.com/3338505330/profile).
Additionally, the IFSC is launching a fundraising campaign — another way to show the climbing community’s commitment to the development of the sport. Since its establishment, the IFSC has invested considerable time building a solid and vibrant community of sport climbing enthusiasts, thanks to effective management, promotion, and broad accessibility of the sport, equal opportunities, transparent internal operations, exciting competitions, full athlete involvement in decision-making, strict anti-doping policies, and a fair and caring attitude toward every athlete. The IFSC aims to raise approximately €20,200 to enhance competition and broadcasting quality, as well as promote sport climbing.
IFSC partners are supporting the sport climbing project’s bid for the 2020 Olympics by offering prizes and boosting the fundraising campaign. A total of 54 attractive prizes will be awarded to donors by Entre-Prises and Kailas.
How to Participate. Each participant can donate a minimum of €5 via http://fnd.us/c/fNWH5 and then enter the raffle after the fundraising campaign ends. There will be 54 winning spots, and the 54 winners will receive the following prizes:
How to Participate. Each participant can donate a minimum of €5 via http://fnd.us/c/fNWH5 and then enter the raffle after the fundraising campaign ends. There will be 54 winning spots, and the 54 winners will receive the following prizes:
10 KAILAS Flash quickdraws, 16 cm
4 KAILAS Intuition 9.4mm dry ropes, 50 m
4 KAILAS Insight 9.8mm dynamic ropes, 50 m
10 KAILAS fleece hats
4 KAILAS men's climbing pants (Blue Miracle)
4 KAILAS men's climbing shorts
4 KAILAS men's professional climbing pants
10 KAILAS men's quick-dry functional T-shirts
4 Entre-Prises holds (holds for climbing walls)
4 KAILAS Intuition 9.4mm dry ropes, 50 m
4 KAILAS Insight 9.8mm dynamic ropes, 50 m
10 KAILAS fleece hats
4 KAILAS men's climbing pants (Blue Miracle)
4 KAILAS men's climbing shorts
4 KAILAS men's professional climbing pants
10 KAILAS men's quick-dry functional T-shirts
4 Entre-Prises holds (holds for climbing walls)
Please make sure to follow the IFSC Facebook page and contribute to the fundraising campaign by entering the raffle for a chance to win fantastic sport climbing gear prizes!
Why Sport Climbing Deserves to Be an Olympic Sport in 2020
Sport climbing is unlike any other sport in the Olympics.
It is not an established Olympic event or a transformation of an existing sport — it is entirely new.
Climbing is one of the most fundamental abilities in human evolutionary history.
Children climb before they walk.
It can be done in nature or in cities — it’s a vertical journey through the world.
The inclusion of sport climbing will enrich and complete the Olympics, as humans are natural climbers, making it an essential competitive event.
The added value of sport climbing to the Olympics.
Rock climbing is a way of life:
It meets the expectations of people of all ages.
It attracts the attention of those tired of traditional Olympic sports and/or those who love outdoor activities to the Olympics.
It connects Olympic competitions with the rapidly growing outdoor industry.
Sport climbing will bring more highlights to the Olympics:
Sport climbing will be the only vertical-surface competitive sport in the Olympics.
Climbing is the only human instinct (others include walking, running, swimming...) not yet showcased in the Olympics.
Rock climbing is a useful tool against obesity, social issues, and discrimination.
Pure climbing requires only the use of the body and brain; clothing and equipment are merely for climber safety.
Sport climbing is unlike any other sport in the Olympics.
It is not an established Olympic event or a transformation of an existing sport — it is entirely new.
Climbing is one of the most fundamental abilities in human evolutionary history.
Children climb before they walk.
It can be done in nature or in cities — it’s a vertical journey through the world.
The inclusion of sport climbing will enrich and complete the Olympics, as humans are natural climbers, making it an essential competitive event.
The added value of sport climbing to the Olympics.
Rock climbing is a way of life:
It meets the expectations of people of all ages.
It attracts the attention of those tired of traditional Olympic sports and/or those who love outdoor activities to the Olympics.
It connects Olympic competitions with the rapidly growing outdoor industry.
Sport climbing will bring more highlights to the Olympics:
Sport climbing will be the only vertical-surface competitive sport in the Olympics.
Climbing is the only human instinct (others include walking, running, swimming...) not yet showcased in the Olympics.
Rock climbing is a useful tool against obesity, social issues, and discrimination.
Pure climbing requires only the use of the body and brain; clothing and equipment are merely for climber safety.
Numbers about climbing:
81 IFSC member countries (almost all organize annual national climbing championships);
2 world championships per year (since 1991);
1 world youth championship per year (since 1992);
40 international events held annually;
1,600 climbing memberships issued each year;
25,000,000 rock climbing enthusiasts worldwide;
3,000 new climbing enthusiasts join each year.