Ice climbing in the Olympics

So, ice climbing is a "cultural event" this year in Sochi. I know that my gut reaction to this is "Dear lord please let this fail miserably so ice climbing doesn't turn into snowboarding and get ruined by big money and fashion and swarming masses crowding my crag."

That said, I also know that I'm being selfish here because 1) I've only been climbing for four years so I"m on no position to pull up the drawbridge, and 2) this could create great opportunities for some good climbers.

I'd be interested to hear what other folks think.

Is it even going to be televized? Probably not more than 30 second filler material. As for the locals - because honestly who travels to Russia other than if you have to - they won't be allowed near an ice tool for fear of spreading the gay.

Now feel comfortable in the fact that your sport will remain below curling in the public eye, at least in North America, and nobody will bang out your favorite ice fall.

Not that it matters to any of you, but the Russians actually dominates the world cup ice climbing scene...

Jay Bach wrote:So, ice climbing is a "cultural event" this year in Sochi. I know that my gut reaction to this is "Dear lord please let this fail miserably so ice climbing doesn't turn into snowboarding and get ruined by big money and fashion and swarming masses crowding my crag." That said, I also know that I'm being selfish here because 1) I've only been climbing for four years so I"m on no position to pull up the drawbridge, and 2) this could create great opportunities for some good climbers. I'd be interested to hear what other folks think.

My exact thoughts,,,same as older post a year or so ago about climbing as an Olympic event. Leave it alone!
PLUS, I'm for saving the historic traditional events of the Olympics, not adding new ones to gain 'youth TV ratings' and money which it is all about now days. If a person of todays age can't get it within them to be true to the historic events available, then I suppose we have failed in teaching our youth about trying something challenging that is new and part of a tradition. Traditions are much stronger in older ethnic European countries than they are here in US..so sooner or later we are going to lose more Olympic events to boredom unless we(as part of the USOC) change the sport in our favor with new crap events for kids only.. It's the fuckin' X games now! What the @#$* is 'slopestyle something event, or whatever they called it anyway that was on today, Even Shaun White dropped out, mostly due to poor design of the ramps for jumps. They've taken skateboarding and snowboarding, combined with the speed and agility of a slalom ski race and tried to create more contrived events. I'm sick of it. Can't wait to see the REAL sports start on Sunday....= Mens Downhill finals! Go Bode,,he had fastest time on the hill today in trials.

Shaun White dropped out because he's a crap snowboarder on anything other than a halfpipe.

Besides, I don't want to see Putin' get any press or congrats for this whole event. From what it appears so far, the guests and visitors are the ones who will suffer the most. They are virtually unprotected against terrorism. They have shitty limited available hotels that have brown water flowing in pipes.(the accepted norm for Sochi life; unacceptable for Americans paying high prices). Don't put money into the Russian mob who have sucked up much of the constrution and ovepaid jobs. Don't help the corrupt ex KGB and unelected Putin look good or make a success of this. The poor hired local 'security' details are guys wedged into poorly heated truck 'trailors' as a residence and have not been paid in weeks. Amazed at the unfinished venues,and that the NBC and other news agencies have been able to find AND broadcast these stories without being taken off the streets and shot by some unknown assasin. It's a shame some athletes told their parents to STAY HOME because they would worry too much for their safety and not be able to compete with total focus on their sports. Russia will be exposed at what they are.....living conditions of a third world nation but with the endless military upgrades and nukes that are outclassing ours soon since we spend zip dollars anymore on the expensive defense programs that we had for last 60 years.
Sorry to get so political on the whole Olympics thing.....hope the best for all athletes and safety for anyone who chose to go there to visit from any Western Civilization country.

The local news this morning said ice climbers will be at the Olympic celebration event in downtown Colorado Springs tonight.
Anybody have any names to drop as to who these climbers could be? I will be working as my shift is from noon till 8 p.m. so won't be able to attend.

A lot of people have wored hard to bring this sport to the Olympics as a demonstraition sport. It is a way to legitimize our activity as a real sport, and perhaps maybe even make mixed and comp climbing taken seriously in North America.

More info here!

theuiaa.org/news-63-Olympic…

beccs wrote:It is a way to legitimize our activity as a real sport, and perhaps maybe even make mixed and comp climbing taken seriously in North America.

Climbing isn't a real sport, Hemingway was right. Only gym climbers need to feel legitimized.

beccs wrote:A lot of people have wored hard to bring this sport to the Olympics as a demonstraition sport. It is a way to legitimize our activity as a real sport, and perhaps maybe even make mixed and comp climbing taken seriously in North America. More info here! theuiaa.org/news-63-Olympic…

why do we need to legitimize climbing as a sport?

beccs wrote:A lot of people have wored hard to bring this sport to the Olympics as a demonstraition sport. It is a way to legitimize our activity as a real sport, and perhaps maybe even make mixed and comp climbing taken seriously in North America.

No offense intended to beccs, but as a climber I have absolutely ZERO interest in having any sort of climbing become an Olympic sport. Also, even though I am not 100% certain what it means, I know that I don't feel the need to "legitimize" climbing as a "real sport." Climbing (at least to me) is not a sport.

slim wrote: why do we need to legitimize climbing as a sport?

Two things: funding and progression (inter related). Right now there are not many people exposed to the sport - just imagine what could be possible when more genetically-predisposed athletes put in more dedicated hours of training from young age.

slim wrote: why do we need to legitimize climbing as a sport?

Cliffs getting closed to climbers is a big one.

doligo wrote: Two things: funding and progression (inter related). Right now there are not many people exposed to the sport - just imagine what could be possible when more genetically-predisposed athletes put in more dedicated hours of training from young age.

We lag behind here in Northa America. They are far more advanced in places such as Europe where climbing is taken more seriously.

beccs wrote: Cliffs getting closed to climbers is a big one.

If anything wouldn't it just turn more people on to climbing, ultimately shutting down access to more crags due to more traffic?

doligo wrote: Two things: funding and progression (inter related). Right now there are not many people exposed to the sport - just imagine what could be possible when more genetically-predisposed athletes put in more dedicated hours of training from young age.

So how does that make my climbing life better?
I pay my own way, as do most climbers.
My genetics are what they are, too late to change that.
Research in climbing training may be slightly useful, but in the long run, whether I eke out a few letter grades won't affect my enjoyment significantly.

More climbers might equal a stronger voice for access, but also equals more impact. It isn't clear to me that folks who don't climb until the sport is legitimized are really going to have the same values as those who climb now. Much less those who have been climbing since BITD.

I see how being in the Olympics helps those who compete or those who work in the climbing industry. But I don't see how it helps the rest of us.

Plus, does anyone really find watching comps entertaining? Not just occasionally, but on a regular basis?

Mark E Dixon wrote:Plus, does anyone really find watching comps entertaining? Not just occasionally, but on a regular basis?

• raises hand*

I watch a lot of the ice climbing world cup and it was super cool going to a bouldering world cup event last year.

I personally find it very inspiring to watch, but I am also a very driven climber and I know that with enough work I could also compete (it's still a small enou pool of people that this is totally possible).

And people on this forum seem to think of legitamizing in terms of hords of people heading out to the crag. I'm talking about the general public accepting climbing as a valid activity and use of space. Right now as a group we're viewed as freaks and thrill seekers.

If there was a "like" button I would hit it for just about every post here.

beccs wrote: And people on this forum seem to think of legitamizing in terms of hords of people heading out to the crag. I'm talking about the general public accepting climbing as a valid activity and use of space. Right now as a group we're viewed as freaks and thrill seekers.

Regardless it could lead to hoards* of people heading out to the crags. Who gives a shit about how people view us or climbing? None of that changes how much fun or how fast I progress the less people climbing the better, that means less crowds and less impact.

beccs wrote: *raises hand* I watch a lot of the ice climbing world cup and it was super cool going to a bouldering world cup event last year. I personally find it very inspiring to watch, but I am also a very driven climber and I know that with enough work I could also compete (it's still a small enou pool of people that this is totally possible). And people on this forum seem to think of legitamizing in terms of hords of people heading out to the crag. I'm talking about the general public accepting climbing as a valid activity and use of space. Right now as a group we're viewed as freaks and thrill seekers.

A lot of us are driven climbers and still don't find comps entertaining to watch.

Don't get me wrong, I have friends who compete and I'd love to see them get wider recognition, but I don't think the benefits outweigh the harm to the rest of us.

And where do you live? The old "climbers are reckless crazies" image just doesn't seem to operate anymore, as far as I can see. I mean, people do multiple flips on their snowmobiles. That's way crazier than anything done by climbers.

Regardless, as long as land managers accept climbing as valid, I don't care what the general public thinks.