Sport Climbing to New Heights: 22-Year-Old Lauren Mukheibir’s Road to the Paris 2024 Olympics

Over the past month, 22-year-old sport climber Lauren Mukheibir from Sandton, Johannesburg, has been immersed in a flurry of intense activity and training.

Having returned to South Africa from Perth on 2 June, Lauren has embarked on a rigorous training regimen in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which begin on 26 July. She is slated to compete in both the Boulder and Lead categories, with the events scheduled from 6 to 8 August.

The Lead category involves climbing a 16-metre-high wall with a route worth 100 points, while the Boulder category comprises four boulders, each worth 25 points. The combined scores from both events will determine the final placements out of a total of 200 points.

“I train about 20 hours a week—10 hours of climbing and 10 hours of strength training; it’s what my body can handle. Climbing at such a high level requires a lot of confidence and bravery,” Lauren explains.

Upon her return to South Africa, Lauren, one of the four climbers chosen to represent the nation in Paris, commenced an intensive lead training programme. This rigorous regimen is tailored to rapidly enhance her endurance, preparing her for the challenges of the Paris 2024 Olympics and the upcoming Innsbruck World Cup in Austria, scheduled for 26-30 June.

“I am competing in Innsbruck to help deal with competition nerves, gain more international experience, and apply what I have learned over the last couple of months. As such, doing well in Innsbruck is not my priority. It will be a competition to test where I stand, mentally and physically,” she says.

After Innsbruck, Lauren plans to compete in a local competition in Cape Town, which will serve as excellent practice and preparation for Paris. She will continue her training until 23 July, when the team departs for Paris. The athletes will soon receive their South African Olympic kit, marking another significant milestone on their journey to the Olympics.

One of the most formidable challenges Lauren faces is managing the financial burden of her preparation for Paris. Although she is immensely proud and grateful to represent her country, she must personally cover costs for training sessions, physiotherapy, medical consultations, equipment, and travel.

“Funding everything myself is a daunting task. I’m handling the expenses for the Innsbruck World Cup without any support from government or national bodies. The financial strain from constant travelling can be overwhelming at times,” Lauren shares. She is profoundly thankful to her parents for their unwavering emotional, physical, and financial support.

he financial burden of her preparation for Paris. Although she is immensely proud and grateful to represent her country, she must personally cover costs for training sessions, physiotherapy, medical consultations, equipment, and travel.

“Funding everything myself is a daunting task. I’m handling the expenses for the Innsbruck World Cup without any support from government or national bodies. The financial strain from constant travelling can be overwhelming at times,” Lauren shares. She is profoundly thankful to her parents for their unwavering emotional, physical, and financial support.

“Climbing has influenced my life in so many different ways. From keeping me happy to giving me a purpose in the COVID months. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it,” Lauren reflects. “Representing South Africa in Paris means a great deal to me because, well, it’s just such an honour to be able to compete for my country, let alone at the Paris 2024 Olympics. It also means that I’ve put in the work to make my dreams come true.”

To help mitigate some of these costs, Lauren initiated a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. She has already raised over R21,000 towards her R200,000 goal, thanks to the generosity of 16 incredible donors.

Lauren is sincerely grateful for every contribution, no matter how small, as each donation significantly aids her preparations for Paris.

“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. Your support has funded numerous training sessions in Perth and several physiotherapy appointments,” she expresses.