Today, the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games proposed to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to add Para Climbing to the 2028 Paralympic Sport Program. With this proposal, LA28 becomes the first organizing committee in Games history to propose additional sports for both the Olympic and Paralympic Sport Programs.

“LA28 is proud to propose adding Para Climbing to the Paralympic Sport Program, and to be the first organizing committee in history to propose a new sport for the Paralympic Games,” said LA28 Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans. “We would like to thank the International Paralympic Committee for giving us the opportunity to add this exciting sport in 2028. We see this as a unique chance to give more athletes the ability to compete on the world’s biggest stage, while creating an expansive and elite adaptive sport program that exemplifies LA28’s commitment to elevating the Paralympic Movement.”

“We are very excited about the announcement of LA28 and thank them for their proposal of the addition of Para Climbing to the Paralympic Sport Programme: it’s a wonderful recognition of the value of our great athletes – says Marco Scolaris, IFSC President. “We must wait now for the International Paralympic Committee's Governing Board to vote on the proposal on June 26. When we were notified by the Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee, my first thought was for our athletes and their chance to show the world what they can do. My next one was to some of our crazy visionaries who first believed in the magic of Para Climbing, together with us. I am talking about pioneers like the former Presidents of the Italian and French Federations, Ariano Amici and Pierre You. We all took our first crazy step together in 2011 with Para Climbing’s debut at our World Championship and we hope that the next step will be the IPC confirmation.”

In January 2023, the IPC’s Governing Board approved 22 sports for inclusion in the Paralympic Sport Program. In addition to approving those 22 sports, the IPC identified a shortlist of sports and offered LA28 the opportunity to consider adding a new Paralympic sport from this selection.

Over the last year, LA28 conducted a thorough evaluation process with close consultation from the International Federations and the IPC to collect the necessary information to reach a final proposal. Similar to the evaluation criteria used to assess sport disciplines and potential new sports for the 2028 Olympic Games, LA28 assessed the global and domestic popularity, the universality at major international events as well as the cost and complexity of the shortlisted sport.

Following this assessment, LA28 has chosen to propose the addition of Para Climbing to the Paralympic Sport Program. If approved by the IPC Governing Board, Para Climbing will join LA28’s Initial Paralympic Sport Program, which includes Blind Football (Soccer), Boccia, Goalball, Para Archery, Para Athletics, Para Badminton, Para Canoe, Para Cycling, Para Equestrian, Para Judo, Para Powerlifting, Para Rowing, Para Swimming, Para Table Tennis, Para Taekwondo, Para Triathlon, Shooting Para Sport, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Rugby, and Wheelchair Tennis.

LA28's proposal of adding Para Climbing to the 2028 Paralympic Sport Program will be reviewed and voted on during the IPC Governing Board meeting on June 26, 2024. The LA28 Paralympic Games will take place August 15 to 27, 2028.