Sam Watson Breaks Speed Climbing World Record at Paris 2024 Olympics
– American teenager Sam Watson set a new world record in speed climbing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, showcasing impressive agility in the new Olympic event.–
– The event pits climbers side-by-side to race up a 15-meter wall, marking a shift from the combined sport climbing format seen in Tokyo 2021.–
– Previously, sport climbing at the Tokyo Olympics combined bouldering, lead climbing, and speed, causing controversy over fairness and technical focus.– –
– For Paris 2024, the sport was divided into separate bouldering, lead climbing, and speed climbing events to address criticisms from athletes and fans.– –
– Speed climbing now features a knockout format where climbers compete head-to-head, with elimination occurring round by round until one winner remains.–
– Sam Watson, aged 18, from Texas, set a new world record of 4.75 seconds during the qualifiers, surpassing his own earlier record of 4.79 seconds.–
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– Watson's previous record was briefly matched by Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia before Watson improved it during the Paris Olympics qualifiers.–
– With this record, Watson holds the title for the fastest time in any timed Olympic sport, according to CNN.–
– The men's speed climbing finals are scheduled for Thursday, while the women's finals will take place on Wednesday morning.– –
1. The event's new format and Watson's record highlight a shift in how sport climbing is showcased and appreciated in the Olympics.