The third day of climbing at Paris 2024 brought back three of Team USA’s Sport Climbers for the Men’s Combined: Semifinal (Lead) and Women’s Speed: Final. The stakes were the highest they’ve been yet, with tickets to Finals on the line for the men and the first Sport Climbing medals of Paris 2024 on the line for the women.

Duffy Advances to Men’s Combined Finals

All 20 of the Men’s Combined climbers returned to the stage for Lead, having locked in their Boulder scores on Monday. Representing Team USA were Jesse Grupper and Colin Duffy, who ranked 18th and 11th in the Boulder round and were both excited for Lead to begin.

Grupper scored 12.0 points in the Lead round, halted just past the 10 hold. That second section of the route, between the 10 and the 30, is where eight (8) other climbers also fell from the wall. That gave Grupper a combined total of 30.9 points, ranking him 18th and eliminating him from the field.

Meanwhile, Duffy moved fairly quickly and efficiently through much of the terrain, passing the final holds for many of his competitors. Duffy fell shortly before the 60 hold, on the steepest portion of the wall. He ultimately scored a combined total of 87.9 points, ranking him 7th in the field and securing his spot at Finals.

Looking forward to Friday, Duffy told us, “I’m gonna go out there, show them my best, and just enjoy the moment.”

Hunt Finishes 5th in Women’s Speed

The first Final event of Sport Climbing welcomed eight (8) Women’s Speed athletes back to the stage. Team USA’s Emma Hunt was paired with Indonesia’s Rajiah Sallsabillah for Quarterfinal 3. A close race to start, a slip cost her the race and eliminated her from the field, awarding a 5th place ranking overall.

Leaving the stage, Hunt stopped time and time again to cheer on competitors who were still climbing and exchange hugs with athletes who had also been eliminated. Speaking briefly on the round, Hunt said, “I’m super grateful. I’ve had a great support team with me from USA Climbing, my family and my friends, and my personal coach, so it’s been just an amazing experience.”

Hunt will surely be remembered for her Pan American Record in the Qualification Round, but also for her poise after a difficult and emotional competition day.

Tomorrow, August 8, Team USA’s Natalia Grossman, Brooke Raboutou, and Sam Watson return to the stage for the Women’s Combined: Semifinal (Lead) and Men’s Speed: Final.

You can watch Sport Climbing live (or on-demand at any time after the events) on TeamUSA.com, the NBC Olympics app, and Peacock. Up-to-date schedules, as well as live results, will be available on Olympics.com.