IFSC Madrid 4 Speed 2024: Preview, full schedule, and how to watch new four-lane sport climbing format live
A new and exciting speed climbing format will debut in Madrid, with four speed lanes, instead of the traditional two-lane competition. The best speed climbers in the world, including Olympic medallists will be competing for the first time in this unique event.
Sport Climbing
Before the newly created IFSC Speed Four Lanes format launches officially in the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, sport climbing fans will have the chance to sample it this weekend. For the first time ever, Spain will host the discipline at the IFSC Madrid 4 Speed, an international test event organised by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC). It promises to be a spectacular showcase of athleticism and adrenaline in the heart of the Spanish capital.
The first day of action will be Saturday 19th of October, showcasing the 4 lane format, followed by the standard IFSC speed competition on Sunday 20th.
The biggest stars in Madrid include lead by Paris 2024 Olympic champion Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia and USA’s Sam Watson, who holds the current world record of 4.74 seconds.
The action will be at the “explanada Puente del Rey” in Madrid Rio, where a massive 17-meter-wall has been built. The event is being broadcast live, and the competition will be free to attend, so locals and visitors have no excuse not to watch the fastest sport at the Olympics. “From Madrid to the sky!”
IFSC Madrid 4 Speed: Athletes to watch
More than 10 nations and their top athletes will compete in a never-before-seen spectacle in Madrid. Indonesia, one of the powerhouses in this sport, will be represented by 10 athletes, including Olympic champion Veddriq Leonardo, and Rajiah Sallsabillah, who finished fourth in Paris.
The fastest climber in the world, Sam Watson, will not miss the chance to compete in Madrid. He broke (again) his own world record at the Olympics in Paris with a time of 4.74 seconds to clinch the bronze medal.
Fellow USA’s athletes Piper Kelly and Emma Hunt, who both competed in Paris, will be among the athletes to try the new speed climbing format.
Other Olympians who will compete in Madrid are Italy's Matteo Zurloni, Amir Maimuratov of Kazakhstan, Ukraine's Yaroslav Tkach, and Zach Hammer (USA).
Hosts Spain will be represented by world silver medallist Erik Noya and Olympic finalist Leslie Romero.
IFSC Madrid 4 Speed - Full Schedule of 2024 event
All times are local CET
Saturday 19th October – SPEED 4 LANES
- 11:00 – 16:00 Women’s and Men’s Speed 4 Qualifications
- 16:00 – 16:30 Women’s and Men’s Speed 4 Play-In
- 16:30 – 19:00 Women’s and Men’s 3rd Spanish Speed Cup Qualifications
- 19:00 – 20:00 Women’s and Men’s Speed 4 finals
Sunday 20th October – STANDARD IFSC SPEED
- 11:00 – 13:30 Women’s and Men’s Speed Practice
- 13:30 – 16:00 Women’s and Men’s Speed Qualifiations
- 16:30 – 19:00 Women’s and Men’s Speed Finals
*Note the schedule is subject to change depending on the number of participants
IFSC Madrid 4 Speed - How to watch
If you can’t come in person to Madrid Río, the event will be streamed live on the IFSC YouTube Channel.