Climbing was included in the Olympic sports three years ago along with karate, skateboarding, surfing and baseball/softball. At the Paris Olympics, there will be a speed event on one side, and a combined event combining bouldering and difficulty on the other.
France is a historic climbing nation, second in total medals in world championships (48) behind Russia ( 53 ) and ahead of Austria ( 23). Russia has declined today. Countries that are escalating include Ukraine, Slovenia, Japan and the Czech Republic.