Asana Bouldering Flooring

Para Climbing Set to Make Paralympics Debut

IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup Salt Lake City 2025
After being added to a Paralympic sports program for the first time last year, Para Climbing at the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles was officially confirmed this month and will feature eight medal events and 80 athletes in total (40 women and 40 men). (Pictured: the Paraclimbing World Cup in Salt Lake City last month at Momentum Fort Union; photo by Slobodan Miskovic @xsloba / IFSC)

As reported by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Para Climbing was recently confirmed for the 2028 Paralympic Games, which will take place in Los Angeles in August, 2028; it will be the first time in history for Para Climbing to be included in a Paralympic Games.

The climbing at the aforementioned 2028 Paralympics will entail eight total medal events, with the macro categories being visually impaired, limbs deficiency, and range and power. In a statement, IFSC President Marco Scolaris noted the “gender parity” of Para Climbing’s Paralympics inclusion, as the various categories will be divided equally between men and women.

trango ad

The historic announcement is the latest in a long saga of progress, driven both by efforts for inclusion from the IFSC and grassroots enthusiasm from climbers and organizers. For example, in 2023, the International Paralympic Committee noted Para Climbing as one of several sports that could be considered for inclusion in the 2028 Paralympics. And last year, the organizing committee of “LA28”—as the Los Angeles Olympics are branded—formally proposed that Para Climbing be included in the 2028 Olympic proceedings. “We see this as a unique chance to give more athletes the ability to compete on the world’s biggest stage, while creating an expansive and elite adaptive sport program that exemplifies LA28’s commitment to elevating the Paralympic Movement,” said Janet Evans—LA28’s Chief Athlete Officer—at the time. Para Climbing was eventually added to the Paralympic sports program for the 2028 Paralympics last summer, following the IPC Governing Board’s approval.

In many ways, Para Climbing’s logistical and procedural journey to Paralympics inclusion has mirrored that of “sport climbing,” which was included for the first time as an Olympic event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Fittingly, Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California, will serve as the venue for climbing at the 2028 Olympic Games as well as Para Climbing at the 2028 Paralympic Games.

Stay tuned to CBJ for more updates as LA28 draws nearer.

Climbing Business Journal

Climbing Business Journal is an independent news outlet dedicated to covering the indoor climbing industry. Here you will find the latest coverage of climbing industry news, gym developments, industry best practices, risk management, climbing competitions, youth coaching and routesetting. Have an article idea? CBJ loves to hear from readers like you!