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Olympic Photo of the Day: A Steep Climb

Olympic Photo of the Day: A Steep Climb

A climber, depicted in silhouette, completes a steep reverse slope course during the Olympic Games.

Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty

Olympic sport climbing is divided into two medal events, speed and combined bouldering and leading. In the leading format, athletes have six minutes to climb as high as possible, scaling a wall more than 15 metres high without seeing the route in advance. The steepest parts of the climb feature a 42-degree reverse bank. Britain’s Molly Thompson-Smith is seen here in silhouette, hanging by one hand as she competes in the leading semi-final of the women’s sport climbing.

earlier:

  • August 7: Maria Perez from Spain wins a gold medal

  • August 6: Artistic swimmers from France show their other faces

  • August 5: Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bow to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade

  • August 4: A coach reacts quickly to slow a dangerous fall

  • August 3: Team France celebrates gold in judo