It might be one of the newest Olympic disciplines but sport climbing has become a phenomenon like no other in past years.
Sport climbing dates back to the 1980s when French rock climbers decided to change the face of the sport forever, since then the sport has rocketed into popularity and made it's Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.
Shauna Coxsey was the sole British competitor in Tokyo, finishing tenth overall in the women's competition.
In Paris 2024, sport climbing is back and better than ever.
In preparation, here are some of the most asked questions about sport climbing answered.
What is new for sport climbing at Paris 2024?
Climbing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics saw athletes compete in all three disciplines for one overall 'combined' medal.
But athletes and spectators can expect a change to the format in Paris, with climbing expanded to two medal events per gender: Speed and Combined (Boulder + Lead).
The newly contest 'combined' event will see athletes compete in both the boulder and lead discipline for gold, separating itself from the speed event to differentiate from the different skills needed.
Learn more about sport climbing's new format here.
Sport climbing's Olympic debut at #Tokyo2020 was simply unforgettable! 🧗🇫🇷
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 28, 2023
More to come at #Paris2024! 🔜@climbbern2023 | @ifsclimbing | #SportClimbing | #BernWCH pic.twitter.com/tdOvdzyzC9
What is bouldering?
In bouldering, athletes climb four different routes - also known as problems - with the aim to get to the top of as many as possible in as few attempts as possible.
Each route is separated into three zones, with an athlete having to hold onto a zone with both hands and demonstrate that they have control in order to pick up points.
It is the only sport climbing discipline which does not see the climber clipped into a rope and relies heavily only problem solving, flexibility and strength.
What is lead climbing?
Lead climbing is an easily recognisable discipline for both the experienced and beginner climber. Athletes climb an unknown route as fast as they can in six minutes whilst clipped onto a rope.
The climber must clip their rope into each quickdraw on the route with the aim to reach the highest hold on the wall in the quickest time possible.
What is speed climbing?
Speed climbing needs to be seen to be believed. A race against the clock and between two competitors, speed climbing sees two climbers scale a standardised 15m route at a five-degree incline in a head-to-head race.
The first to hit the timer on the top wins the round and progresses to the next until there is a winner.
Male athletes average a climb of under six seconds with women under seven.
Why do climbers use chalk?
The main use of climbing chalk is to remove any sweat on the climbers hands whilst they are competing. The chalk provides friction and lowers the chance of slipping and falling.
Athletes often carry a chalk bag attached to their belt whilst climbing for easy use.
What does 'isolation' mean in sport climbing?
Isolation is the area competitors must wait in during competition if they are not climbing. The area separates the competitors from viewing the routes, talking to other climbers who have completed their climbs or talking to spectators or coaches.
Athletes are not allowed to take any equipment which can connect to the internet into isolation as to prevent cheating, which means many listen to music, stretch or calm their mind.
In some instances, the isolation area includes a toilet, drinks, chairs, table, warm-up or bouldering wall and a transition zone for climbers.
How does scoring work in sport climbing?
Speed climbing scoring relies on the clock.
The athlete who reaches the top of the fall the fastest will move onto the next round in a single-elimination format.
A gold medal contest and bronze medal contest will take place following the semi-finals to decide the podium.
In the Combined competition, each athlete can earn a maximum of 200 points, with 100 points up for grabs in each discipline. The winner of the competition is the athlete who accumulates the highest score.
In bouldering, each of the four problems is worth up to 25 points, with five for reaching the first zone, 10 for the second, and the full 25 for the top.
If two or more climbers reach the top of a problem, they are ranked by how many attempts it took them to complete it.
The maximum points for the lead phase are attained by reaching the top of the route.
Working backwards from the top, the last 10 moves earn four points each, the previous 10 moves earn three and so on, with any moves below the final 40 not collecting any points.
Sportsbeat 2024