Sports
Rock-Climbing’s 11-Year-Old Stars Hit Bump at Sport’s Moment of Glory
- For tween set, is it about fun, or preparing future elite?
- Rulemakers vote on shift for outdoorsy hobby sweeping cities
Corporations are pouring money into competitive rock-climbing, fueling a boom in gyms from New York to Dallas where wannabe alpinists scale artificial heights in pricey gear. But even with the sport set to debut in the 2020 Olympics, its governing body says elite contests’ pressure may be too much for the youngest athletes to bear.
In a Wednesday vote, the board of Salt Lake City-based USA Climbing scrapped its national championship for members 11 and younger, citing concern for their physical and emotional well-being. Opponents say the move threatens to hobble the sport’s explosive growth.