Climbing One Step Closer To The Olympics?

From a non climber’s perspective speed climbing would probably be the easiest to understand, but really I think all three would work just as well.

this is something i’ve given a lot of thought to and talked about with a lot of fellow climbers. for the most part, i’ve encountered resistance to the idea of climbing in the olympics, and usually the reason given is the spike in popularity. of course i understand that access is sensitive as it is, and having hoards of clueless urbanite newbies show up at presently low-key crags could be devastating, but truly, isn’t it better to have these people get outdoors, experience the environment, and interact with nature in the way that climbers everywhere already do? isn’t it our responsibility and opportunity as climbers and the climbing community to ensure that the new generation of climbers come to understand the importance of respecting the areas we’re privileged to climb in?

i have a ton of gripes about the olympics in general, but even so, i would like to see climbing as part of the competition. a good comp, with professional camera angles, excellent commentary, and the world’s best all present? yes please. in some ways too, i think it’s an opportunity for climbing to be a little subversive on the main stage; a chance for climbers to say thanks, this was fun, but the main goal is always to pursue the sport for individual enjoyment and the interaction with inspiring natural spaces. plus, how much fun would it be to hear the commentator present x climber as “a self-proclaimed dirtbag, who lives out of his honda civic, showers biweekly, and eats peanut butter on bread for 75% of his meals”?

i do not see climbing corporates getting more money into access fund(s) because of a post-olympic increase in income.

if anything i’d rather see that money going back into the competition circuit, in some way.
But i wouldn’t be a fan of too much money into outdoor climbing as well…from my point of view the “bummyness” of the true hardcore globetrotters (even very sponsored ones, who can sometimes be short of money…) defines the general atmosphere, even for those like many of us who have an otherwise very regular job and life, and this is something enjoyable and funny in itself.

in my opinion, the only possible benefit of olympic climbing would be shifting the general focus towards competitions and indoors, to a point that outdoor practicants actually decrease a little bit and access/impact/rock polish problems soften up.

I say this because i believe that indoor climbing can handle big numbers much better than outdoors, not only from a “conservation” point of view but also looking at the fun factor.
A packed full bouldering gym is 100% social interaction, cheering, showing off your biceps and looking at that blonde’s fine ass or the brunette’s tits.
A packed full bouldering sector is parking your car where you know you shouldn’t, finding your project’s holds greasy even in good weather conditions, seeing a lot of people not having any respect for the surroundings and/or the rock, etc…

Hum, there’s no format in rugby where there are 11 players on a team, it’s 7,13 or 15, and sevens always existed, it’s like the bouldering of rugby, short and intense.
There are so many sports at the summer olympics that I doubt it could have any really massive negative effect. And it’s definitely a well-deserved form of recognition for the sport.