The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board has approved a proposal from the LA28 Organising Committee to include Para climbing into the 2028 Paralympic Sport Programme.

This means that the LA28 Paralympic Games will now feature 23 sports - the 22 sports that were initially approved by the IPC in January 2023, and Para climbing which will make its Paralympic debut in 2028.

In accordance with the IPC Handbook, an Organising Committee of a respective Paralympic Games may propose to the IPC one or more additional events in new sports, with consideration for inclusion at the absolute discretion of the IPC Governing Board.

As part of the International Federation application process launched in 2022, a record 33 sports submitted applications to the IPC to be included in the LA28 Paralympic Games. Following an extensive evaluation process, the IPC approved 22 sports in January 2023 and granted LA28 the opportunity the potential of including Para climbing or Para surfing, sports that have not been featured before at the Paralympic Games.

Since then, 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.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “Congratulations to the International Federation of Sport Climbing for the inclusion of Para climbing into the LA28 Paralympic Games. Para climbing is a fast-paced, exhilarating sport that I am sure will attract new audiences to the Paralympic Games, you only have to see the sport’s impact on the Olympic Games programme to understand this.

“By 2028 Para climbing will be the fifth new sport on the Paralympic sport programme in the last 12 years, underlining the IPC’s desire to keep the Paralympic Games fresh and a showcase of the Paralympic Movement’s diversity.

“My thanks go to the LA28 for proposing Para climbing, in doing so they become the first organising committee in history to propose an additional sport to the Paralympic Sport programme.”

Marco Scolaris, President of International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), said: “Thank you to the IPC for welcoming us as part of the Paralympic family, but thanks must also go to the LA28 organising committee for believing in our sport and making history for the both of us.

“By proposing climbing as an additional sport they have given us another opportunity to fulfil our purpose – to make the world a better place through climbing. All of our Para athletes do this every day, and now they can do it on the world stage for all to see at the Paralympic Games.” 

"Los Angeles' diversity and culture of inclusion offers the ideal stage to host the City’s first Paralympic Games and elevate the Paralympic Movement worldwide," said LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman.

"LA28 is thrilled to welcome Para climbing's athletes and fans, and we thank the International Paralympic Committee for their partnership and collaboration to add this dynamic and emerging sport to the 2028 Paralympic Sport Programme."

The IFSC has been hosting Para climbing competitions since 2006, when the first international event saw athletes from National Federations compete. Today athletes from 27 different nations regularly compete in the sport which features an annual competition circuit including World Cup events, as well as biennial Para climbing World Championships which run alongside the IFSC Climbing World Championships. The IFSC was granted the status of Recognised International Federation by the IPC in 2017.

The 23 sports that will be included in the LA28 Paralympic Games are: Blind football, Boccia, Goalball, Para archery, Para athletics, Para badminton, Para canoe, Para climbing, 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.

At Rio 2016, Para canoe and Para triathlon were included in the Paralympic Games sport programme for the first time, while at Tokyo 2020 Para badminton and Para taekwondo made their Paralympic debuts.