Baku to host IFSC climbing world cup
By Nigar Orujova
The IFSC Climbing World Cup 2014 will be held in Baku on May 3-4.
Jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Air and Extreme Sports Federation and the International Federation of Sport Climbing, the competition will be held near the National Flag Square.
In anticipation of the upcoming Cup, referees from Turkey were invited to Baku to held classes with local athletes. About 40 people were certified to judge international competitions.
Baku hosted the eighth stage of the IFSC Climbing World Cup for the first time last June, gathering 69 athletes from 11 countries.
International federations highly appreciated the level of organization at the tournament held last year.
In addition to that, foreign athletes who competed in the championship express their wish that the IFSC Climbing World Cup be held in Baku again.
Sport climbing is a form of rock climbing that relies on permanent anchors fixed to the rock, and possibly bolts, for protection. In traditional climbing, the rock is typically devoid of fixed anchors and bolts, and climbers must use removable protection as they climb.
Since the need to place protection is essentially eliminated, sport climbing places great emphasis on gymnastic-like ability, strength, and endurance.
National championships on sport climbing have been regularly held in Azerbaijan since 2009. Local and foreign athletes take part in the competitions.