Five Questions with American Olympic Climber Brooke Raboutou: Insights on the New Paris Format, Her Preparation, and How Climbing Fuels Personal Growth
A few years ago, Brooke Raboutou made history as the first American sport climber to qualify for the Olympic debut of climbing at the Tokyo Games.
Competing in a controversial triple-combined event, Raboutou and 20 other women vied for a single gold medal based on their aggregate scores from three distinct disciplines: speed, bouldering, and lead climbing. While bouldering and lead climbing both emphasize strength and technical skill, speed climbing demands a completely different set of abilities. The format faced considerable criticism, and although Raboutou excelled in bouldering—securing second place behind Slovenia’s Janja Garnbret, who ultimately won gold—she struggled in the other events and finished fifth overall.
Now, Raboutou is gearing up for a fresh challenge at the Paris Olympics, with climbing events scheduled from August 5-10. The competition landscape has shifted significantly. The International Olympic Committee has revamped the format, introducing speed climbing as a standalone medal event. Additionally, a separate set of medals will be awarded based on combined scores from bouldering and lead climbing. We caught up with Raboutou to discuss her aspirations for Paris, the atmosphere of the Olympic stage, and the implications of the new format for elite climbers. Read More
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