In three years, Para climbing athletes will take center stage at the Paralympic Games for the first time. For athletes like Solenne Piret, Brian Zarzuela, and Sarah Larcombe, the journey to the LA28 Paralympic Games feels both long and short.
The LA28 Paralympic Games, scheduled for 15–27 August 2028, will feature Para climbing as part of the sport programme for the first time. Up to 80 athletes from around the world will compete at the Long Beach Climbing Theater in what promises to be a thrilling showcase of the sport.
“We hope that it’s going to be a great competition,” said French four-time world champion Solenne Piret during a TikTok Live with @Paralympics earlier in August.
“I think people will love (Para climbing) because it’s super spectacular. I think everyone will enjoy their time.”
Making history at LA28
LA28 will host eight medal events in Para climbing. The sport’s inclusion in the Paralympic programme was announced in June 2024, followed by the announcement of the medal events in June 2025.
International Para climbing competitions have been organized by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) since 2006. Since then, the sport has grown, with athletes competing on the World Cup circuit and at World Championships.
For U.S. athlete Brian Zarzuela, LA28 offers an opportunity to compete on home soil. He started climbing about seven years ago after trying out the sport at a climbing gym. From there, he did not look back, competing at three World Championships.
“Out of all the sports I tried, (Para climbing) was one of those where everything felt pretty limitless,” said Zarzuela, who was born without a left hand.
“When the announcement came, it sparked a new energy. It feels like now you have this new goal in front of you that you didn’t know was going to be there. It reignited that fire for climbers.”
Australian athlete Sarah Larcombe, who won silver at the 2023 World Championships in Bern, Switzerland, recalls watching the Sydney 2000 Paralympics as a child—but never imagined she would one day have the chance to compete herself.
“I was a kid at the time, but I got to go to a bunch of different events. It was super inspiring, super amazing, and I was really excited to see that on home turf as well,” she said.
“I think I never really thought about the Paralympics as an option when I first got into the sport. I was just participating in the sport for the fun of it, but now that it’s on the table, I’m super excited. It’s absolutely my goal to get there and to win.”
The countdown begins
The LA28 Paralympic Games will feature more than 4,000 athletes competing in 560 medal events across 23 sports. The Opening Ceremony at the Stadium in Inglewood will kick off two unforgettable weeks of competition.
Beyond the climbing wall, Zarzuela, Larcombe, and Piret say they want to have the full Paralympic Games experience, including staying at the Paralympic Athletes’ Village.
“Especially if you grew up watching the Paralympics, being there and recognising other Paralympians you have watched – there’s something magical about the idea of being in a space with the best athletes in the world,” Zarzuela said.
“Everyone is there for the same goal. In the moment, it probably feels super stressful and exciting, but at the same time, you can only anticipate the kind of encouragement that you get from being in the atmosphere.”
Training for the spotlight
With excitement building for Para climbing’s debut, the three athletes say they are starting to feel the pressure. They mention that there have been more training camps, more competitions, and more young athletes interested in the sport.
But how are these athletes training to make history?
“Learning and reading are a big part of our training, so route reading is literally just looking at a route and figuring out what the moves are to get from the bottom to the top,” Larcombe shared. “That is something we practice, like really intentionally in our training, whether that be with a coach or on your own or with your peers.”
“I’m really excited and really grateful for the platform to showcase our sport. I think it’s one of the most inclusive Para sports I’ve ever been a part of. I’m really excited to get on that stage and show people what we can do. I can’t wait.”
Before LA28, the next major milestone is the IFSC Para Climbing World Championships in Seoul, Republic of Korea, taking place from 20–25 September 2025.
Piret, who has already won two World Cup events this year, says she expects the competition to intensify in the lead-up to LA28.
“I think it’s more challenging. And I think we will see a lot of new competitors in the next years. Everything is more challenging. Like you’re under more pressure.”
Discover more about Para climbing by visiting the International Federation of Sport Climbing website
Learn more about the LA28 Paralympic Games