A split screen photograph of a male para climber on a climbing wall hanging from a rope wearing a white tank top on the left side of the image and a female para climber hanging from pink ropes wearing a black sport bra

LA28 CELEBRATES ADDITION OF PARA CLIMBING TO THE HISTORY-MAKING 2028 PARALYMPIC SPORT PROGRAM

First-ever New Paralympic Sport Confirmed to 2028 Sport Program by the International Paralympic Governing Board

 

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 26, 2024) — Today, the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games celebrates the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board’s ratification of LA28’s proposal to feature Para Climbing on its 2028 Paralympic sport program. The IPC’s decision marks the Paralympic debut of Para Climbing in 2028, as well as the first time an organizing committee has ever added a new Paralympic sport to the Paralympic program. Para Climbing joins the 22 previously confirmed Paralympic sports that are #LA28BOUND.

 

"Los Angeles' diversity and culture of inclusion offers the ideal stage to host the City’s first Paralympic Games and elevate the Paralympic Movement worldwide," said LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman. "LA28 is thrilled to welcome Para Climbing's athletes and fans, and we thank the International Paralympic Committee for their partnership and collaboration to add this dynamic and emerging sport to the 2028 Paralympic Sport Program."

 

“It’s moments like today that puts into perspective what it means to be planning and delivering an athlete-centric Games,” said LA28 Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans. “LA28 is proud to partner with the IPC to create more opportunities for Paralympic athletes to represent their sport and country on the world’s stage, and we look forward to welcoming them to Los Angeles in 2028.”

 

“We are going to make history at LA28 when Para Climbing makes its debut, but thanks to the LA28 Games we already have. We are honored to be the first sport to be recommended by an Organizing Committee and it shows the great relationship we have with both them and the IPC,” said IFSC President Marco Scolaris. “When Climbing got its first Olympic Games, it was a dream come true, and the same will happen at LA28 when we see our great Para Climbing athletes in action. Our climb since 2007 has been hard, intense and amazing. With the IPC and LA28 we continue to grow and push the sport forward as part of the Paralympic family.”

 

LA28 is the first organizing committee in Games history to propose additional sports for both the Olympic and Paralympic sport programs. Para Climbing joins LA28’s Paralympic Sport Program, which includes Blind Football (Soccer), Boccia, Goalball, Para Archery, Para Athletics, Para Badminton, Para Canoe, Para Cycling, Para Equestrian, Para Judo, Para Powerlifting, Para Rowing, Para Swimming, Para Table Tennis, Para Taekwondo, Para Triathlon, Shooting Para Sport, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Rugby, and Wheelchair Tennis. The LA28 Paralympic Games will take place August 15-27, 2028.

 

Now that both the Olympic and Paralympic sport programs are finalized, pending the International Olympic Committee’s decision on Olympic Boxing, the next step is to confirm the medal event program and athlete quota for the 2028 Games. This process will be completed for both programs in 2025.

 

ABOUT THE LA28 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time to host the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. Los Angeles will host the world’s most elite athletes in 2028 as it welcomes Paralympians and Olympians from around the world to compete on the biggest stage in sports. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, non-profit organization with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee.

 

 

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