The Rise of Climbing on The Financial Times
Climbing has gone from niche sport to the Olympic stage. Today, with climbing gyms booming and the sport now part of the Olympics, we’re talking about a completely new frontier in the sports industry. Here is an interesting video made by the Financial Times. It is highlighting the shift in the industry and how it has evolved into a sought-after and profitable business. The Rise of Climbing.
In August 2024, during the Olympics, The Financial Times has decided to produce a video to highlight The Rise of Climbing. The aim of this video directed by Claire Justin : showing how joining the Olympic programme helped a niche pursuit go mainstream. Since making its debut in Tokyo, climbing has attracted corporate sponsors and professional investors looking to profit from the sport’s rapid ascent. The effects are being felt at both the elite and grassroots level.
The sport climbing category of search terms on Google went up by 1,000 per cent in the week following the Olympics. Amazing ! Climbing is now entering into this more mature phase where more people go climbing. Climbing is a normal thing. Some people use climbing as exercise. Some people will use it as a social setting.
The Rise of Climbing and the Olympics heritage
What we’re about to see now is the next chapter, which will be a really interesting maturing chapter. And what will the Olympics do? What will that scale of appeal and awareness do? In fact we’ve got loads of exciting times left to see how the story unfolds. In fact there’s some really exciting times ahead for the culture of climbing.
What climbing legacy will the Games leave behind? What impact will they have in France and more generally in Europe in terms of climbing walls and facilities for young people? Interesting question !
