A relatively new addition to the Olympic Games, sport climbing is capturing the attention of athletes and fans alike, as competitors strive to reach new heights—both literally and figuratively. Amid the excitement, one athlete is using her platform to highlight the lack of diversity within the sport.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics unfold, the rock-climbing community in Connecticut is rallying behind the athletes. Local rock climbing instructor Sam Lourie Jr. expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I am loving seeing it. I am glad it is even progressing at this point.”
Sport climbing made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games and has since been approved for inclusion in both the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“This is a real sport because you do have to use all your body—your arms, your back, your stomach, legs, especially when you go upside down,” said coach Damaris Silhavy-Dube, who has been climbing since she was 10 years old. Silhavy-Dube is thrilled to see the sport gaining recognition on the global stage and hopes it will inspire the next generation of athletes. “I think it gives kids, too, who love to watch the Olympics, that they can start from very small and go as high as they want,” she added.
British rock climber Molly Thompson-Smith has been outspoken about the need for more diversity in sport climbing and her desire to be a role model for others. “So, I really hope that me being on the stage at the Olympics will inspire some little girls and boys out there, or even adults really, who see a little bit of themselves in me,” Thompson-Smith said.
A 2019 survey conducted by the American Alpine Club found that participants in climbing are overwhelmingly from white backgrounds. This lack of diversity is something Silhavy-Dube has noticed and is passionate about changing. “It’s nice, it’s nice to see some color,” she remarked.
Silhavy-Dube, who grew up climbing at the Stone Age Rock Gym in Manchester, recalls seeing a diverse group of people engaging in the sport. As she prepares to take on the role of youth coach, she’s already passing on her knowledge to her son.
Lourie, who sees a bright future for sport climbing, emphasized the sport’s inclusive nature. “I think it’s one of those sports that is very welcoming to anybody willing to put in the effort. I find that the community itself is just very open arms—they want to share their knowledge, share their advice, we want to share everybody’s successes together. I just find it a very inclusive space to be in,” Lourie said.
As sport climbing continues to grow on the world stage, advocates like Thompson-Smith and Silhavy-Dube are pushing for a more inclusive environment, ensuring that future generations see themselves represented in this challenging and exhilarating sport.
related topics:
