Azerbaijan to host Climbing World Cup competitions this month
By Nazrin Gadimova
Azerbaijani capital Baku will host the eighth stage of the IFSC Climbing World Cup on June 22-23.
President of the IFSC European Council Wolfgang Webel said it will be the first major tournament on rock climbing to be held in the region.
Webel said this tournament will be the preparation for the 2015 European Olympic Games, which will take place in Baku.
According to the Azerbaijan Air and Extreme Sports Federation, Webel's visit to Baku in April this year aimed to consider the inclusion of sport climbing in the list of the sports to be represented at the inaugural European Games.
The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is the main international body that supports the development of sport climbing worldwide. The Air and Extreme Sports Federation (FAIREX) represents Azerbaijan in this organization.
The national championships on sport climbing have been regularly held in Azerbaijan since 2009. Local and foreign athletes take part in the competitions.
Sport climbing is a form of rock climbing that relies on permanent anchors fixed to the rock, and possibly bolts, for protection. In contrast, in traditional climbing the rock is typically devoid of fixed anchors and bolts and climbers must place removable protection as they climb. Since the need to place protection is essentially eliminated, sport climbing places an emphasis on gymnastic-like ability, strength and endurance.