Speed climbing is one of the three Olympic disciplines and the easiest for general audiences to understand.

After the Paris Olympics, the IFSC aimed to take it to a new level and test the future of the Olympic format by introducing, for the first time, four-lane races and relays.

The challenge was clear: debut a new IFSC format, make it more dynamic and visually striking, and bring it to an iconic urban setting—without compromising sporting rigor or appeal for athletes, media, and brands.

In 2024, Madrid hosted the world’s first IFSC 4 Speed, an innovative format with four climbers competing simultaneously.

The event brought together international athletes from over 18 countries, including Olympic medalists, and was broadcast worldwide via official IFSC channels and Eurosport.

The competition transformed the urban space into a high-impact sports stage, bringing elite climbing closer to new audiences and positioning Madrid as a global reference for innovation in the IFSC calendar.