Sport Climbing is Here: IFSC Got a Ticket for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

SportClimbing was one of the eight sports shortlisted bythe Tokyo 2020AdditionalEvent Programme Panel. OnAugust 7-8 2015, they presented their bid in Tokyo. Todaybegins a new era for Sport Climbing as it is officiallyproposed as a new sport for the Tokyo 2020 OlympicGames by the Tokyo 2020 Additional Event ProgrammePanel.

An honor and a recognition

"It is a great honor to have been chosen. We thank theTokyo 2020 Additional Event Programme Panel for thisfantastic opportunity and the recognition within theOlympic Movement. Of course,there is still a long way togo, and all of us at the IFSC are deeply committed tomeeting the challenges ahead. Together with ourathletesand the National Federations, we are reaching newheights", says Marco Scolaris, the IFSC President.It is also the recognition of the tremendous growth ofSport Climbing in recent years.Worldwide, the sportcounted 25 million climbers in 2013, while in 2015, figuresare estimated at 35 million. 50% are under 25 years ofage, thanks to the latest trend of urban/action sports.

A perfect reflection of the Olympic values

On August7-8, IFSC and JMA (Japanese MountaineeringAssociation) representatives met the Tokyo 2020Additional Event Programme Panel and joined forces toshow thatSportClimbing perfectly embodies the OlympicMovement and its core values, as well as its youth appealand popularity in the Japanese society.Sport Climbing can be practiced anywhere. It’s aworldwide sport, enthusiasts are present ina hugenumber of countries. It’s a sport for the young, popularand also good for developing strength, flexibility andanalytical skills. As a competitive sport, events can beheld in spectacular venues for breathtaking shows,inciting intense emotions in the spectators. Last but notleast, it represents the only basic human movement notyet included in the Olympic Games.SportClimbing bringsthe missing vertical dimension to the world’s mostprestigious sport event.

A bright future for Sport Climbing in Japan

Recent years have seen an impressive growth of climbinggyms in Japan.The country is fostering a lively and vibrantclimbing community and several world-class athletes, inboth senior and youth categories. "Now more than ever, we are convinced thatSportClimbing would be the perfect complement to the Tokyo2020 Olympic Games program, and be a source ofinspiration to the 500,000 Japanese climbers and all thespectators who will discover this sport in real conditions"says Yagihara Kunio, JMA President.

Preparing for the next step

The IFSC is now fully dedicated to the next steps that willtake to the final decision at the 129th IOC Session in Rio inAugust 2016. Until then, the IFSC will continue to workwith the Athletes and the National Federations toreinforce and improve its organization to prove thesolidity of this choice.

For more information, please contact:

Pierre-Emmanuel DANGER

Press Officer, systemd

Mobile: +33 672230735

Email: press@ifsc-climbing.org

Anne FUYNEL

Director of Marketing & Communications, IFSC

Mobile: +33 640469961

Email: anne.fuynel@ifsc-climbing.org

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