CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rock climbing is a new sport in the Olympics this year.
One athlete in Charlotte was too young to qualify, but has experience in all the rock climbing events.
No one qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team in rock climbing from North Carolina, but there is one athlete who may have if she was older.
Julia Duffy, from Charlotte, is 16 years old. She was 15 during the qualifications for the Olympics.
Her climbing coach, Cedric Colby, said a few months ago, she made the U.S. Speed National Team for climbing. She is currently one of the youngest athletes on the national team.
“She is a finalist in nationals youth speed,” Inner Peaks Head Climbing Coach Cedric Colby said. “She is so close to finals in youth sport. She has made it to bouldering nationals six times. She has won regional and divisional championships in sport and bouldering.”
Bouldering is Duffy’s favorite type of climbing. Climbers maneuver up the wall without a rope. It’s one of three disciplines in the Olympics.
“Usually, the moves in bouldering are a little more strength-based, and they kind of resemble park core,” Duffy said.
Next is speed climbing. This is different from bouldering because the holds are always the same. Climbers compete to race up the wall as fast as possible.
“Anywhere in the world where there is a speed wall, you are climbing the same route,” Duffy said. “So you know what you are getting into, but it can be unpredictable because you can slip at any moment.”
Finally, there is sport climbing, which is on a rope. Climbers clip in as they go up. Duffy is excited to watch all of these in the Olympics this year.
“I think it is really cool,” Duffy said. “I think it will open up the sport to a lot more people that might not find it otherwise.”