The Paris 2024 organizers are set on making the Olympic and Paralympic Games a transformative experience for young Parisians. Central to this legacy is the expansion of climbing opportunities aimed at nurturing the next generation of athletes.
One of the key initiatives includes enhancing accessibility to open-water swimming in the River Seine and transforming areas around Olympic venues into vibrant new neighborhoods. However, when it comes to climbing, the capital faces a notable challenge.
The Climb-Up gym in southern Paris stands as France’s largest indoor climbing center. Despite its prominence, organizers have identified a shortage of high-quality climbing facilities across the capital region. Nonetheless, enthusiasm for the sport remains high. With three million children under five in France, experts believe this age group is ideal for introducing sport climbing.
\"It's more practical to learn climbing when you are young, you are lighter, and more mobile,\" says Cathy Bremaud, communications director at Climb-Up. She adds, \"Children are much more comfortable with heights than adults. They always find a solution to climb the wall and get up high despite being smaller and having less life experience.\"
The inclusion of climbing in the Olympics, which debuted in Tokyo 2020, has already spurred growth in the sport. Unlike the combined disciplines of Tokyo, Paris 2024 will feature speed climbing as a separate event, allowing competitors to race up a 15-meter wall. Lead climbing and bouldering will remain combined, focusing on point-scoring rather than speed.
Simon Brusco, climbing development manager at Climb-Up, has seen a significant increase in young members since the center opened in 2021. \"When you're very young, your first reflex is grabbing or grasping,\" he explains. \"We offer fun activities that resonate with young people seeking something different.\"
The Olympic spotlight on climbing not only elevates the sport but also ensures that facilities like Climb-Up are handed over to the local community after the Games, fostering ongoing engagement and development.
Reference(s):
Olympics scaling up climbing opportunities for young Parisians‌
cgtn.com