Today at 10:15 AM, Paris 2024 will host one of the most anticipated competitions in climbing – the women’s Boulder & Lead finals. This event marks a milestone in a sport that has solidified its place in the Olympic arena since its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games. The iconic climbing venue in Paris, Le Bourget, will set the stage for a contest among some of the world’s most talented climbers, where only one can stand atop the podium.
The final lineup is rich with talent and experience. The eight climbers competing for the gold have all proven their worth throughout the tournament. Among them is reigning Olympic champion Janja Garnbret from Slovenia, who has once again impressed with her outstanding performance in the semifinals. Garnbret, who won the World Championships in Bern 2023, is the favorite to take home the gold, but the competition is fierce.
She faces strong opposition from climbers like Miho Nonaka from Japan, who has shown herself to be one of the most consistent climbers this season, and Brooke Raboutou from the USA, who after an impressive performance in the Olympic qualifiers, now has a real chance to win a medal. Other notable participants include Ai Mori from Japan, who placed third at the World Championships, and Oriane Bertone from France, who is one of the home favorites.
The qualification for this final has been intense and filled with dramatic moments. Janja Garnbret dominated the semifinal, where she was the only climber to top all four bouldering problems. Miho Nonaka and Brooke Raboutou followed closely behind with strong performances, raising expectations for a tight competition in the final.
Other finalists, such as Jessica Pilz from Austria and Natalia Grossman from the USA, have also delivered remarkable performances, even if they couldn’t quite match Garnbret in the semifinal. However, they have shown their capabilities earlier in the tournament and could potentially surprise in today’s final.
Today’s competition is divided into two parts: Boulder and Lead. In the Boulder section, participants must climb short but technically challenging routes without the use of ropes. The goal here is to reach the top of as many problems as possible in the fewest attempts. The Lead section, which will take place later in the day, tests the climbers’ endurance and technique as they aim to climb as high as possible on a longer route within a time limit.
This combined format demands both strength and mental resilience. Climbers must quickly adapt to rapidly changing conditions and maintain focus throughout the competition, making it one of the most challenging disciplines in the Olympics.
Although Janja Garnbret is undoubtedly favored to win the gold, the competition at Paris 2024 is extremely open. Miho Nonaka and Brooke Raboutou both have the potential to create an upset, especially if they can capitalize on their momentum from previous rounds. Oriane Bertone, with the support of the home crowd, may also provide a surprise, particularly if she can keep her composure under pressure. Additionally, Natalia Grossman should not be underestimated, as she has had a solid season thus far and has the potential to reach the podium.
It will also be interesting to see how finalists like Ai Mori and Jessica Pilz handle the pressure. Both have previously demonstrated their ability to deliver strong performances when it matters most.
Since sport climbing was introduced to the Olympics in Tokyo 2020, the sport has experienced tremendous growth in popularity. Paris 2024 builds on this success, and today’s final will undoubtedly attract attention from both dedicated climbing enthusiasts and new fans worldwide. It also serves as an important platform to highlight the sport’s athletes, who often live in the shadow of more traditional sports.
As the final approaches, the excitement is palpable among both climbers and fans. Will Janja Garnbret cement her status as the world’s best climber, or will a new star emerge today? We eagerly await to see how this spectacular event unfolds.
The competition starts at 10:15 AM, and you can follow live as the best female climbers in the world compete for gold at Paris 2024.