By: Ellie Zhang 1

The 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles will feature a new sport; para-climbing. It is like no ordinary Olympics, as it is designed to provide opportunities for disabled athletes.

The event will take place from Tuesday, August 22nd to Sunday, September 3rd.

Although there is no age limit to who can join, the average contenders are between the ages of 18 and 30.

Para-climbing is the fifth sport to be added to the Paralympics in the last 12 years. With its addition, there are a total of 23 sports in the games; 22 sports played in the summer and 6 in the winter.

Para-sports can vary between different disabilities. People without legs or who have leg problems can play wheelchair sports, like wheelchair basketball, rugby, tennis, and fencing. The visually impaired athletes can play Blind Football and goalball.

“Para-climbing is a fast-paced, exhilarating sport that I am sure will attract new audiences to the Paralympic Games,” Said Andrew Parsons, the president of the International Paralympic Committee on BBC news.

Climbing is different from all the other added sports, because it doesn’t take place on a large, flat surface, and it doesn’t involve running around or playing with balls. Climbing requires a full-body work, mostly the contender’s arms, legs, and core doing the job. Vision is also crucial to the activity, as athletes need to see what they are reaching for or stepping on.

“While there are many more milestones we must achieve, I believe this will be a giant leap forward in showing the world that climbing is for everyone.” Says James Rudge, a climbing athlete on BMC.

The first ever Paralympic took place back in 1984, and has been held every 4 years after. There were only 18 sports back then, and more have been added every year since then. The IPC will continue to add more sports that will allow more people to participate in the event and empower the next generation.