In reply to ElArt:
> He has the same contingency plan as everyone else.. come first in the European qualifiers I believe (says that above).
Yes. He took some risks by letting speed be for 2019, but will very likely still qualify.
> I don’t think having his foot near a bolt is a reflection of his professionalism. Do you, really?
I think in the next few competitions his feet won't be close to any bolts
> Surely judges must think before they make a sound call on whether he really stood on it. I think they made a bad call, based on tv footage.. (it wasn’t noticed, I believe another competitor complained). If you watch it it isn’t clear and he gains NO advantage.
The judges should judge this incident consistently with all the other times similar instants have happened in the previous years. I am sure they looked at the issue carefully.
Other teams notifying the judges is simply climbing's VAR. It is the way reconsideration of instant decisions can be done in order to make the sport fairer. I am happy that other teams call out possible incidents, because climbing is still a sport with lots of grey areas in the rules and getting interpretations as clear as possible is in the interest of the development of the sport.
> I for one hope he appeals as I think climbing will deliver a much better competition if he is there.
I think appealing is useless, but I do hope he qualifies.