The men’s speed climbing heats at the Olympics have already witnessed multiple Olympic record-breaking performances within the first 15 minutes of the event. This comes as no surprise as speed climbing made its Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago and is now making its second appearance at the Games.
Amir Maimuratov from Kazakhstan is the latest athlete to set a new Olympic record, completing the speed climbing course in an impressive 4.89 seconds. Prior to his record-breaking run, Sam Watson from the USA, who holds the world record in this event, clocked in at 4.91 seconds.
In the previous Olympics in Tokyo, athletes competed in three climbing disciplines – speed, lead, and bouldering – to contend for a single set of medals. However, in the current Paris Olympics, the speed climbing event has been separated into its own category. Speed climbing is considered a specialized form of climbing that challenges athletes to ascend a 15-meter wall as quickly as possible while engaging in head-to-head competition.
