At the IOC headquarters, President Jacques Rogge welcomes Marco Scolaris, Muriel Sarkany and Jerome Meyer.
On December 3rd, Jacques Rogge, the President of the IOC, welcomed IFSC President Marco Scolaris, IFSC Athletes' Commission President Muriel Sarkany, and the IFSC Sport Manager, Jerome Meyer.
The IFSC delegation presented our sport to the IOC President.
Scolaris offered to President Rogge a special climbing hold, purposely produced by IFSC partner "Smog", with the IFSC logo, and a pair of climbing shoes, a unique piece offered by IFSC partner "Scarpa".
At the end of the meeting, Muriel, former World Champion in Lead and still competing, commented: "Honestly I'd have never believed that this could happen sometime. Being welcomed by the head of the Olympic family gives dignity to our sport and to us climbers".
Jerome, current European Champion in Boulder, who retired at the end of 2008 and now works for the IFSC as Sport Manager, said: "I always believed that my sport, our sport has a lot to offer. Being here today gives additional motivation to make it grow".
Scolaris concluded: "Muriel is right. There is a sort of deep emotion being here: this is a great day for all our community, the outcome of a growth that has produced young athletes and champions, but also a new valuable sport for the today's world".