athletes, especially given the highly specialized nature of other Olympic events and the different skill sets required in each. by the International Olympic Committee only allocating one set of medals to the contest and a desire not to exclude one set of the sport.Speed climbing is an all out sprint up a 15 meter wall. Two climbers compete side by side on identical routes and the winner advances to the next round.
In lead climbing, athletes have six minutes to get as high up on a 15 meter wall as possible. Bouldering, which unlike the other two disciplines does not use safety ropes, requires athletes to complete the highest number of routes on a 4.5 meter wall in four minutes. The overall score is worked out by multiplying the athlete’s placement in each discipline, with the lowest overall score winning.