Brooke Raboutou Secures Her Spot in Paris: Team USA’s Olympic Roster Complete
Brooke Raboutou’s remarkable performance at the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) in Budapest has secured her place in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Raboutou, who previously competed in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and placed fifth, showcased her exceptional climbing skills across the two OQS events in Shanghai and Budapest.
In Shanghai, she dominated the Boulder event, placing first, and secured fourth place in Lead, earning her the top spot overall. In Budapest, Raboutou excelled further, placing second in Boulder and first in Lead, ultimately clinching the gold medal and the title of Olympic Qualifier Series champion. With perfect scores in both events, she easily secured her ticket to Paris.
After the OQS finals, an elated Raboutou reflected on her journey: “It’s hard to believe, I’m incredibly happy. It’s been a hard journey. I missed some chances to qualify. So it was panic no, stress yes. It’s been a lot of heartbreak and a lot of growth. Honestly, I am grateful for it all. They say the harder the journey the better it feels, and I could not feel that more. I am incredibly proud about how much each stage taught me. I’ve had really good performances.”
The Budapest finals saw eight climbers, including Raboutou, competing in the women’s Boulder & Lead final. Although all eight had already secured their Olympic spots in the semi-finals, the finals provided a crucial experience-building opportunity. In the Boulder round, Raboutou topped the first three problems and reached the high zone on the fourth, finishing second behind Japan’s Miho Nonaka. Despite suffering a knee injury, Ukraine’s Ievgeniia Kazbekova continued to compete, showcasing her resilience.
In the Lead round, Raboutou delivered a stellar performance, matching Italy’s Laura Rogora’s highpoint and securing enough points to overtake Nonaka for the overall victory. Raboutou finished with 159.8 points, Nonaka with 156 points, and Great Britain’s Erin McNeice with 137.5 points.
With Raboutou’s qualification, Team USA’s climbing roster for the Paris Olympics is now complete. She joins teammates Natalia Grossman, Colin Duffy, and Jesse Grupper in representing the United States. The climbing community eagerly anticipates their performances on the Olympic stage, where friendships and rivalries alike will inspire greatness.
Learn more: https://www.adventurefilm.academy/
Molly Thompson-Smith: From Olympic Ambitions to Nature’s Embrace
Aiming for Olympic Gold
Five-time British climbing champion Molly Thompson-Smith has had a rocky road to the Olympics, but the peak is now in sight as she aims for gold in the Paris 2024 Olympics. She’s been invited to the Olympic Qualifier Series, which concludes soon in Budapest. Molly explains that if she finishes in the top ten, she’ll join Team GB.
From Urban Roots to Natural Heights
Molly’s passion for climbing began by chance at her seventh birthday party when she chose the climbing wall at a local sports centre in west London. This passion led her to Harrison’s Rocks in East Sussex, where she first climbed outdoors at ten or eleven years old. Despite her urban upbringing and her parents’ fear of heights, she quickly adapted and thrived.
Facing and Overcoming Racism
While Molly has experienced racism in her sport, she emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion. Her first walk in the Peak District was positive, yet she has also faced condescension and assumptions. As an advocate for diversity in sport, she notes progress in indoor climbing but acknowledges that outdoor climbing still has barriers to overcome.
The Dual Nature of Climbing
For Molly, indoor climbing is a job, while outdoor climbing serves as her escape. She finds solace and mental clarity in nature, enjoying the geology of the rocks she climbs. Emphasizing the climber’s motto, “Respect the rock,” Molly remains dedicated to leaving no trace and preserving the natural beauty of her climbing sites.
Molly Thompson-Smith’s journey illustrates her resilience, passion, and advocacy for inclusivity, inspiring climbers and nature enthusiasts alike as she continues to reach new heights.
Source: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/news/a60989065/paris-2024-climber-molly-thompson-smith/
Learn more: https://www.adventurefilm.academy/
