The IFSC Africa Continental Championships, an Olympic Qualifier event, starts today in Cape Town, South Africa. 22 athletes from South Africa and Uganda are registered to compete for two Olympic places, one per sex. The winner of each category will earn a ticket to Tokyo 2020.
The International Federation of Sport Climbing commented:
"Years from now, people will look back on the 2020 IFSC African Championships in Cape Town as a fundamental milestone in the development and growth of Sport Climbing in Africa. The Sport Climbing family once again displayed its fierce commitment to the sport by uniting to overcome adversity. The IFSC would like to thank the City of Cape Town and the entire local organising committee for never losing confidence, for always believing and for finally delivering this historic Olympic qualification event."
Schedule:
Women's Qualifier
From 9 a.m. GMT, Thurs 17 December 2020
Men's Qualifier
From 9 a.m. GMT, Fri 18 December 2020
Women's Final
From 10 a.m. GMT, Sat 19 December 2020
Men's Final
From 10 a.m. GMT, Sun 20 December 2020
Watch live on the ClimbAfrica2020 YouTube channel, accessed via the embed below.
Visit the event's website.
Comments
I watched the women's qualifiers yesterday. I find it fascinating that on the one hand this ticks all the Olympic boxes with regards to participation and inclusion. Without doubt this could generate athletes in the future capable of taking things to the top level and climbing may find that opportunity is all that separates the best from the rest. On the other hand it seems, to me at least to be rather like Eddie the Eagle in terms of ability to take part against seasoned pros. The route setters will have a huge job on their hands in the Olympics to take such a spread of ability into account.
I will be watching again today and the finals encouraging the athletes.