MACON, Ga. — The Olympic Games brings attention every four years to a range of sports that are typically swept under the rug in favor of football, baseball and the like.
But one sport is receiving its moment in the spotlight, and some local enthusiasts are here for it: rock climbing, or as the Olympics calls it "sports climbing."
With the new attention brought on by the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, local rock climbing enthusiasts are sitting at home and watching with hope.
“I would hope and expect it gets a lot of first-timers out there,” said Billy Copeland, who manages the rock wall and adventure programming at Georgia College. “But I definitely want to strike while the iron is hot and use the Olympics as a way to reach first-timers.”
Sports climbing is a relatively new addition to the Olympics. After it first debuted at the Tokyo Games in 2020, the director of Macon's climbing gym Macon Rocks John Hur says rock climbing has risen in popularity.
“With rock climbing now being an accepted sport in the Olympics, I think it's wonderful," Hur said. “I feel like it definitely gained more traction — it's reaching a broader audience.”
Plus, with a string of high-profile record-breaking runs in Paris, it seems more eyes have been on rock climbing this year than ever before.
Speed climber Aleksandra Miroslaw of Poland secured a gold medal after breaking not one but two world records this year in Paris.
Team USA climber 18-year-old Sam Watson clinched a world record in speed climbing after scaling just under 50 feet in 4.75 seconds.
“I don’t think Spider-Man goes that fast,” Copeland joked.
Hur says the specific brand of climbing at the Olympics is "very showy and spectator friendly" which makes it great for TV.
"It's a very dynamic form of climbing where these climbers are jumping and flying and hurling their bodies through the air," Hur said. "It's lending itself to be this parkour meets climbing.”
But for Copeland, he says one of the best parts of rock climbing is the community around it, even if you aren't in it for the competition.
“You share in their successes when they’re able to climb the route they’ve been working on for a while,” Copeland said. “It's not about getting to the top – it's about getting better.”
As a rock wall at a college, Copeland hopes more of his students are inspired by the Olympics and give the sport a shot.
“I love sports that are hobbies. You can do this at any level and at almost any age,” Copeland said. “It's such a fun hobby that is physically rewarding, but you oftentimes build a strong community at these gyms.”
With one of Macon Rock's own climbers competing in rock climbing nationals in Salt Lake City, Hur is crossing his fingers that the community continues to thrive here in Macon for both hobbyists and athletes alike.
“I would love the community [in Macon] to grow even more,” Hur said, “and maybe even producing some athletes coming out of Macon, Georgia.”
There are more Olympic sports climbing events scheduled within the coming days. More men's speed climbing is scheduled for Thursday, men's bouldering is scheduled for Friday and women's bouldering will take place Saturday.
