Best of British climbers head to Shanghai to compete in the Olympic Qualifying Series
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) can today announce the lineup that will compete in Shanghai, China to represent the GB Climbing team at the first event of the Olympic Qualifying Series from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 May 2024.
The team of six will compete in the combined Boulder & Lead competition, in which the final starting places for Paris 2024 will be decided in a two-part Olympic Qualifier Series event.
Following her impressive season opener in the back-to-back Wujiang and Keqiao World Cups, 19-year-old Erin McNeice returns to China to bid for a place at Paris 2024. McNeice, currently ranked 29th in the Boulder & Lead World Rankings, took home personal best results in the first Boulder and Lead World Cups this season placing 5th in both competitions.
Joining McNeice in the women’s competition is 26-year-old Molly Thompson-Smith. The five-time UK national champion is a seasoned athlete on the world stage. Thompson-Smith has over a decade of experience, including being a lead medallist at the Continental Championships in 2020. She now looks to make her second Olympic bid in sport climbing as the sport makes its second Games appearance.
Jack MacDougall, the youngest GB Climbing athlete to compete at the OQS, took 22nd in the combined event at IFSC World Championships. 18-year-old MacDougall then bettered that result whilst competing at the IFSC European Qualifier in Laval in October 2023, the same event which saw fellow teammate Toby Roberts take gold and secure his ticket to Paris 2024. MacDougall’s strength lies within the Boulder discipline, and we saw him place 25th at the season opener in Keqiao earlier this year.
Max Milne, the 23-year-old, nicknamed ‘The Future’ looks to fulfil his childhood Olympic dream by claiming that ticket to Paris alongside teammate Toby Roberts. Milne is no stranger to reaching a podium, taking silver at the 2022 IFSC Boulder World Cup in Brixen. After having his breakout World Cup season in 2021, a wrist injury in 2023 meant he had limited competition exposure last year. Returning from injury, he opened the 2024 season taking 8th position Wujiang Lead World Cup finals, having never previously made a Lead semi-final.
25-year-old Jim Pope and 22-year-old Hamish McArthur step out onto the mats for the first time this season. McArthur finished 35th in the combined event at the IFSC World Championships in Bern whilst Pope finished 41st. Between the two athletes they have over 20 years international competition experience.
Like his fellow teammates, McArthur has a plethora of podiums to his name. His best results coming in 2021 at the IFSC Climbing Youth World Championships where he took gold in the Boulder and Lead competitions.
Jim Pope is one of Britain’s leading sport and trad climber, famously having ticked ‘Appointment with Death’ E9 6C back in 2019. Pope also has had a long history of succeeding on the international stage in competition climbing with his best World Cup result being at the Xiamen Lead World Cup in 2019 where he took 9th position and his best Youth result being at the 2015 European Lead Youth Cup in Mitterdorf where he took the gold medal.
Rachel Carr, GB Climbing Coach and Head of Delegation, said: “It’s great to see our athletes back out in Asia especially after reflecting on the incredible season start back in April. With a mix of seasoned and developing talent, we have witnessed these athletes go from strength to strength to the last couple of seasons.
“I’m excited to see how our team perform in this new Olympic Qualifying Series, all aiming to take one step closer to securing those coveted spots at Paris 2024.”
Jon Garside, Head of Performance at the BMC said: “The opportunity to have a team of six strong athletes heading into the first-ever Olympic Qualifying Event is something as a nation we should be really proud of. With Toby already guaranteed a spot at the Games, I am looking forward to supporting our young team throughout this competition and beyond.”
With 20 Olympic quota places remaining for Sport Climbing, each nation can qualify up to two male and two female athletes through the OQS series, with Toby Roberts already securing his place, one male quota and two female quota places remain up for grabs for Great Britain.
The OQS series will see the sports of breaking, sport climbing, skateboarding and BMX freestyle come together for two events in Shanghai (16 – 19 May) and Budapest (18 – 23 June).
Where to watch
Watch the Olympic Qualifying Series via olmpics.com, where you can stream all rounds of competition for free.
GB Climbing team for the 2024 OQS series:
Women
Erin McNeice
Molly Thompson-Smith
Men
Jack MacDougall
Hamish McArthur
Max (Maximillian) Milne
Jim (James) Pope
GB Climbing Coaching team
Rachel Carr, GB Climbing Coach & Head of Delegation
Personal Coaches
Ellie Glennie
Mark Glennie
Related Content
Dringo Dan Do Newyddion
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is pleased to announce that the British Boulder and Lead Championships, the pinnacle of the domestic competition calendar, will take place in Manchester in early 2025.
Rock Destinations
Dreaming of big numbers this year? We reveal six sizzling holiday rock destinations that will send your grade through the roof. Whether your sight is on 6b or you're aching for 8a, here are Steve McClure's top picks.
Perfformiad Newyddion
The IFSC Paraclimbing European Championships in Villars, Switzerland, this weekend saw 13 GB Climbing athletes clip into the Lead wall, delivering strong performances and personal bests across the board.
Perfformiad Newyddion
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) can today announce the 18 athletes who will represent the GB Climbing team at the 2024 IFSC Youth World Championships in Guiyang, China. The event is scheduled to take place from Thursday 22 August to Sunday 1 September at the Guizhou Bureau of Sports.
Olympics News
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have been a historic occasion for British climbing, marking a significant milestone in the sport's journey.
Perfformiad Newyddion
Bursting onto the scene in 2024, 20-year-old Erin McNeice has cemented herself as one of the world’s best climbers. Qualifying for the finals in seventh, McNeice proved she was a force to be reckoned with.
Olympics News
In a thrilling conclusion to the Men's Sport Climbing finals at Paris 2024, Great Britain's Toby Roberts secured a sensational gold medal while Hamish McArthur takes an emotional fifth.
Perfformiad Newyddion
Erin McNeice qualifies for Olympic final whilst Thompson-Smith finishes with a top-ten Lead performance.
Perfformiad Newyddion
Following today’s Lead Semifinal, Great Britain are the only nation to qualify two athletes for Men’s Boulder & Lead Final.
Dringo Creigiau Newyddion
While Paris 2024 is a fantastic watch and we’re cheering our TeamGB climbers on with gusto, scaling brightly-coloured, plastic holds isn’t for everyone. Cue Fontainebleau (Font), a world-renowned bouldering destination on natural rock, deep in the forest, only 70km south of this year’s Olympic capital city.
Perfformiad Newyddion
Erin McNeice and Molly Thompson-Smith put their first points on the scoreboard at Paris 2024, as the Women's Boulder Semifinal took place at Le Bourget yesterday, part of the Boulder & Lead event.
Perfformiad Newyddion
The Men's Boulder Semifinal at Paris 2024 got underway today on the walls of Le Bourget, with four fresh boulders ready to be tackled. Today marked a moment for the history books as Great Britain’s Hamish McArthur and Toby Roberts made their Olympic debuts. They are the first men to represent Great Britain in Sport Climbing at the Olympic Games.
Perfformiad Newyddion
Get ready for wall-to-wall action as the sport climbing competition at Paris 2024 kicks-off today with four Olympic debutants taking to the wall for Great Britain.
Indoor Climbing Articles
In a matter of days, 40 climbers from all around the globe will battle it out across three climbing disciplines of speed, lead and bouldering on the world's most watched wall of the year. Four British climbers will be among them representing Great Britain in Sport Climbing at Paris 2024 Olympic games. But how and where can you watch all the action? We have all the answers.
Olympics
With four GB Climbing athletes heading across the channel for the Olympic boulder and lead competitions starting Monday 5 August, not only are they bringing their A-game in terms of performance but, as part of the BMC, the whole team is supporting Paris 2024 in its bid to be the ‘greenest ever Games’.
Olympics News
The 2024 Olympic Games are underway, and the nation's eyes are firmly on Paris and all the Team GB athletes. As Sport Climbing makes its second-ever appearance at the Olympic Games, we get to witness a new chapter in history as four climbers step out onto the mats to represent Great Britain.
Olympics Articles
A brief history of competition climbing
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Do you know your gaston from your guppy, and can you spray about it while sandbagging your mate? Find out what it all means with our guide to climbing terminology.
Rock Climbing Articles
The Youth Ready to Rock Sport climbing course is designed to help young climbers (11-17 year olds) make their first moves onto rock by having a fun day out, as well as covering the use of some key skills and equipment, for both the participant and the parent/carer.
Rock Climbing Articles
It might seem like a lofty goal, but maybe it’s time to give 8a a go. All you need is the right route, a shot of determination, and to read this 10 step guide on how to climb 8a.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Lowering off from a sport climb isn't always as easy as it is at the climbing wall. Knowing a few techniques can make the difference between an enjoyable day's climbing and a trip to A&E.
Rock Climbing Articles
Back in 2017, Margo Hayes ticked La Rambla 9a+ in Siurana, Spain. By September that same year she had climbed another 9a+, Biographie at Ceuse, and in 2019 she ticked her third. How does she do it?
Mynediad Dysgwch
Access to the south side of Cheddar Gorge is fragile and relies upon climbers following the agreements in place with the landowner.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
A common and false perception of abseiling is that it is an adventure activity that is completely safe. But accidents do occur even in controlled circumstances.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
What are the different types of climbing and mountaineering and what do they involve?
Rock Climbing Articles
Dream of climbing 7a but think you’ll never reach that level? With a little hard work and some secret beta from top sport climber Steve McClure, you’ll be clipping the chains on your project in no time.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Trad climbing offers an unparalleled sense of freedom. With the appropriate skills, training, and equipment you really do have the ability to go anywhere. Here we give the low down on how to get started.
Rock Destinations
Thought sport climbing was all about tiny holds on short routes? Think again. Here we've got five top European venues to recommend you:
Dringo Creigiau
Here are Steve's McClure's top 8 crags for kids:
Get Climbing
Here's all you need to know about starting indoor bouldering
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch
If you've learnt to climb routes indoors, sport climbing can be a logical first step into the exciting world of outdoor climbing. Here's how to get started...
Rock Destinations
Planning a winter sport-climbing escape? Leave the crowds and polish behind with these five best-kept mid-grade Spanish sport secrets. Dos cervezas por favor.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Climb grade 5 outdoor sport routes, but want to progress? How do you start pushing your comfort zone, and what should you focus on?
Indoor Climbing Articles
Indoor Climbing Articles
Nathan Phillips and Holly Toothill won the crown at the La Sportiva BMC British Bouldering Championships 2019. See below for the replay of the finals and a link to the full results:
Dringo Dan Do Newyddion
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) can today announce that the 2024 British Boulder Championships will be hosted at Last Sun Dance in Leeds.
Olympics News
Four sport climbers will make their Olympic Games debuts this summer for Team GB as the British Olympic Association (BOA) name the team that will compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Dringo Creigiau
Dinorwig slate quarries gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2018
Indoor Climbing Articles
Registered blind since birth, due to a genetic condition called Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis, Anna Foo lost her vision completely at the age of 15 years. Talia Lazarus interviews Anna and finds out more about her journey into the GB Paraclimbing team.
Perfformiad Newyddion
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) celebrates the historic inclusion of Paraclimbing in the LA28 Paralympic Sport Program. This landmark decision represents a significant milestone for the sport, reflecting its growing popularity globally.
Perfformiad Newyddion
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) can today announce the 15 athletes selected to represent the GB Climbing team at the IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup Innsbruck 2024. Competition will run from Monday 24 June to Tuesday 25 June at the Kletterzentrum Innsbruck.
Olympics News
The culmination of the Olympic Qualifying Series in Budapest saw GB Climbing athletes Erin McNeice, Hamish McArthur, and Molly Thompson-Smith qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics Games.
Perfformiad Newyddion
Round Two of the Olympic Qualifying Series (OQS) kicked off in Budapest, marking the athletes' final opportunity to secure a spot for Paris 2024. As the heat was turned up on and off the wall the top 20 men’s and women’s Boulder & Lead semi-finalists have been confirmed.
Perfformiad Newyddion
The Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) is reaching its finale at the Ludovika Campus in Budapest this week. A total of 48 top climbers from around the globe will vie for their last chance to secure a spot in the Boulder & Lead event for Paris 2024.
Perfformiad
After six remarkable years with the GB Climbing Team, Richard Slocock has announced his retirement from international competition. With an impressive tally of three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, the 44-year-old’s contributions to the GB Climbing team have been extraordinary.
Olympics Articles
GB Climbing's Toby Roberts talks training, mindset, hopes and fears for his first Olympic Games this summer.
Dringo Dan Do Newyddion
Works on the upgrade of the bouldering facilities at Edinburgh Leisure’s flagship climbing arena at Ratho will begin on Monday 3rd June following a major funding investment from sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund. There will be a steady schedule of works across the summer and autumn as the changes occur.
Olympics News
Erin McNeice and Hamish McArthur put on a world-class show in the finals of Boulder & Lead competition at the Olympic Qualifier Series Shanghai, on Sunday (18 May).
Perfformiad
The third day of the Olympic Qualifying Series (OQS) featured the men’s and women’s Boulder & Lead semi-finals, selecting the top-eight athletes to compete in the final.