Speed climbing at the Olympics: Sam Watson set a new world record
8 august 2024 в 01:13
Sport climbing for speed was first introduced at the Olympic Games in Paris.
It was a good day for the USA team, as Sam Watson broke his own world record for speed climbing, set in April at the IFSC World Cup, to advance to the quarterfinals at the Games. The 18-year-old from Texas can now call himself the fastest Olympian, at least when it comes to vertical movement.
«I suppose 4.75 is the fastest time ever recorded at the Olympic Games in a timed sport», - Watson said of his personal record, 0.04 seconds faster than the previous one. «It's a cool title that no one can take away, I suppose».
But Watson was not the only American competing at the Olympics. Emma Hunt set a personal record of 6.36 seconds, but finished fifth after being defeated in the quarterfinals of the women’s speed climbing.
Here’s what you need to know about sport climbing for speed.
Sport climbing made its debut in Tokyo three years ago with a combined event, combining three disciplines — speed, bouldering, and lead climbing — into one medal event. In Paris, there was a medal for speed and another for bouldering and lead climbing together.
Basics
Speed climbing is an exciting and fast discipline in sport climbing, where athletes compete against each other to climb a standardized wall as quickly as possible. For spectators at speed climbing competitions, a momentary distraction can be costly.
Athletes climb a 15-meter wall in about five seconds, ascending a series of holds to reach the red button at the top of the route. The wall for international competitions has two lanes for climbing, each 3 meters wide.
This sport is not only about moving as fast as possible, but also about beating the opponent in a dizzying race. Even a slow time can secure a spot in the next round if it means reaching the red button at the top of the wall before the neighboring person.
The route is always the same, allowing climbers to memorize and perfect their techniques.
Are there regulators?
The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is the organization that regulates and promotes climbing competitions worldwide. IFSC sets standards for speed climbing and other climbing competition formats and determines which events are sanctioned for world record attempts.
IFSC was established in 2007, inheriting the International Council for Competitive Climbing (ICC), which was formed in 1997.
The organization includes member federations from countries around the world, all dedicated to the development and regulation of sport climbing
It was a good day for the USA team, as Sam Watson broke his own world record for speed climbing, set in April at the IFSC World Cup, to advance to the quarterfinals at the Games. The 18-year-old from Texas can now call himself the fastest Olympian, at least when it comes to vertical movement.
«I suppose 4.75 is the fastest time ever recorded at the Olympic Games in a timed sport», - Watson said of his personal record, 0.04 seconds faster than the previous one. «It's a cool title that no one can take away, I suppose».
But Watson was not the only American competing at the Olympics. Emma Hunt set a personal record of 6.36 seconds, but finished fifth after being defeated in the quarterfinals of the women’s speed climbing.
Here’s what you need to know about sport climbing for speed.
Sport climbing made its debut in Tokyo three years ago with a combined event, combining three disciplines — speed, bouldering, and lead climbing — into one medal event. In Paris, there was a medal for speed and another for bouldering and lead climbing together.
Basics
Speed climbing is an exciting and fast discipline in sport climbing, where athletes compete against each other to climb a standardized wall as quickly as possible. For spectators at speed climbing competitions, a momentary distraction can be costly.
Athletes climb a 15-meter wall in about five seconds, ascending a series of holds to reach the red button at the top of the route. The wall for international competitions has two lanes for climbing, each 3 meters wide.
This sport is not only about moving as fast as possible, but also about beating the opponent in a dizzying race. Even a slow time can secure a spot in the next round if it means reaching the red button at the top of the wall before the neighboring person.
The route is always the same, allowing climbers to memorize and perfect their techniques.
Are there regulators?
The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is the organization that regulates and promotes climbing competitions worldwide. IFSC sets standards for speed climbing and other climbing competition formats and determines which events are sanctioned for world record attempts.
IFSC was established in 2007, inheriting the International Council for Competitive Climbing (ICC), which was formed in 1997.
The organization includes member federations from countries around the world, all dedicated to the development and regulation of sport climbing
© Artemenko Olga
