Today, LA28 became the first organizing committee to propose a new sport, Para Climbing, for potential inclusion in the 2028 Paralympic Sport Program.

“It has been quite a journey, one led by amazing athletes, and an ongoing effort to see this day come to reality,” said Marc Norman, CEO and President of USA Climbing. “We’d like to thank LA28 for recognizing our athletes and look forward to a potential confirmation on June 26.”

“I just cried at work,” said Mo Beck, a ten-time National Champion, two-time World Champion, and member of the USA Para Climbing National Team.

At LA28, we’re thinking differently. Today, we’re proud to make history by being the first organizing committee to propose a new sport to the Paralympic program. We’re thrilled to propose Para Climbing for potential inclusion to our 2028 Paralympic Sport Program! #LA28 🦾🦿🧗🧗‍♀️… pic.twitter.com/Qi63rttjlu

— LA28 (@LA28) June 12, 2024

In a press release, LA 2028 Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans said, “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.”

“It’s a wonderful recognition of the value of our great athletes,” added Marco Scolaris, President of the International Federation of Sport Climbing. “We must wait now for the International Paralympic Committee’s Governing Board to vote on the proposal on June 26.”

The LA28 Paralympic Games will take place August 15-27, 2028. The latest information and updates about the Games can be found at LA28.org.