Sport climbing, a discipline with roots in traditional rock climbing, is experiencing a surge in popularity. The 1980s saw the rise of competitive climbing, with Italy hosting the first official events. This paved the way for artificial climbing walls and the inaugural Climbing World Cup in 1989. 

The sport's governing body, now known as the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), has overseen significant growth. Bouldering, a climbing style focused on shorter, challenging routes, was added as a discipline in 1998 and entered the World Championships in 2001. 

Sport climbing's Olympic ambitions gained traction with the IFSC's provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2007, culminating in full recognition three years later. The Tokyo 2020 Games marked the sport's Olympic debut, showcasing both men's and women's combined climbing events.

This momentum continues as sport climbing secures its place in the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Its inclusion on the world's biggest sporting stage highlights its global appeal and its status as a dynamic and exciting sport.