McNeice, McArthur, and Thompson-Smith qualify for Paris 2024 in Budapest
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.
Their qualification sees the three athletes join GB Climbing teammate Toby Roberts, who qualified for the Games in October 2023. The only previous athlete to compete in Sport Climbing at the Olympics was Team GB’s Shauna Coxsey, who placed 10th at Tokyo 2020.
After making the podium in the opening Qualifying Series round in Shanghai last month, all eyes were on emerging talent Erin McNeice. The 20-year-old had a steady start to the Budapest leg of the competition, finishing 16th in the Boulder phase of qualification on Thursday. She improved round-by-round, finishing the semi-finals in 5th place, and stepped-up again in the finals taking her second international podium with another bronze medal. McNeice qualifies for Paris 2024 after coming in 3rd place overall.
When asked about her performance in Budapest, Erin Mcneice, said: “Today was pretty indescribable. To qualify for an Olympic ticket felt incredible and to get my second podium made it even more special. I can’t wait to compete at the Paris Olympics, and I’m looking forward to sharing the experience with my teammates and the coaches.”
Rachel Carr, GB Climbing Head of Delegation and McNeice’s coach, said: “This round was bit more challenging for Erin with the heat forced us to do a lot of adapting but she managed to keep the faith in her ability and continuity demonstrate that she is in fact a fully-fledged combined athlete.
“[The competition has had] its ups and downs but getting another bronze as well as qualifying for an Olympic quota has been a dream come true for us all!”
Joining McNeice in the women's competition is 26-year-old Molly Thompson-Smith, an athlete who has faced a difficult journey to qualify for Paris. After breaking her ankle in 2022 and narrowly missing out on qualification for Tokyo 2020, Thompson-Smith's story finally has a golden ending with a golden qualification ticket to the upcoming Games after finishing 1th in the Series.
Thompson-Smith’s coach, Ellie Glennie of Precision Climbing, said: “Molly overcame significant challenges to qualify for the Olympics, including training on one foot for the majority of last year whilst recovering from her broken ankle.
“For me, her standout moment was flashing bloc 4 in the Bouldering qualifiers. Despite a tough journey, she climbed the semi-final lead route with strength and calm, making a dream come true on a day that felt just right.”
Hamish McArthur rounds out the team, having qualified for the second male quota place alongside Toby Roberts. The 22-year-old narrowly missed-out on the finals in Budapest to finish 10th. Combined with his 7th place from the first leg of the Series in Shanghai, this put him in 9th overall.
On his qualification for Paris 2024, GB Climbing and Precision Climbing athlete Hamish McArthur said via social media: "I have qualified for my spot at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. I will try to do it all with grace."
McArthur’s coach, Mark Glennie of Precision Climbing, said: “I’m over the moon for Hamish. These past few years have been incredible, working towards a goal with tiny odds of success. On the day, he had to battle through some physical issues after the Boulder round and showed outstanding grit and determination to perform so well in the Lead. Seeing him qualify for an Olympic spot is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to see what he can do next in Paris!”
Paul Ratcliffe, Chief Executive of the BMC said: “Earning a quota place for the Olympic Games is a tall order with such tough global competition. It takes a huge amount of dedication, perseverance and commitment over many years.
“Congratulations to all the athletes and to all the parents, coaches and partners involved in supporting them.
“The BMC started in 1944 to represent all climbers in Britain and we will be proud in our 80th Year to represent these incredible climbers to be nominated to Team GB for the Paris Olympic Games.”
Jon Garside, Acting Head of Performance at GB Climbing, said: “The Olympic Qualifying Series has been a formidable competition, and we’ve been very thankful to have had an incredible support network of coaches, parents, Parthian Wall and the GB Climbing staff team. The qualification news today is a testament not only to our athletes' talent but to the work that goes on behind the scenes on a daily basis.
“Throughout this qualification period, our team has shown they have the skills and talent to reach the pinnacle event in sport climbing. As an organisation, we’re ever so proud of the commitment they have shown, and I also congratulate Max, Jack, and Jim for their dedication and sportsmanship through the 2024 season. While they did not qualify on this occasion, all athletes have so much potential, and the BMC looks forward to supporting them on their next steps.
“I speak on behalf of us all when I say that we look forward to seeing Erin, Molly, Toby, and Hamish represent Great Britain and climb on the walls of Le Bourget Sport Climbing venue in six week’s time.”
Final Olympic Qualifier Standings:
Women’s
Erin McNeice – 3rd
Molly Thompson-Smith – 13th
Women’s Boulder & Lead Budapest results can be found here
Olympic Qualifier Series results can be found here
Men’s
Hamish McArthur – 9th
Max Milne – 30th
Jack MacDougall – 32nd
Jim Pope – 33rd
Men’s Boulder & Lead Budapest results can be found here
Olympic Qualifier Series results can be found here
Related Content
Indoor Climbing News
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.
Performance News
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.
Performance News
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.
Performance News
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.
Performance News
Erin McNeice qualifies for Olympic final whilst Thompson-Smith finishes with a top-ten Lead performance.
Performance News
Following today’s Lead Semifinal, Great Britain are the only nation to qualify two athletes for Men’s Boulder & Lead Final.
Rock Climbing News
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.
Performance News
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.
Performance News
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.
Performance News
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
Rock Climbing Skills
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.
Rock Climbing Skills
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?
Access Articles
Access to the south side of Cheddar Gorge is fragile and relies upon climbers following the agreements in place with the landowner.
Rock Climbing Skills
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.
Rock Climbing Skills
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.
Rock Climbing Skills
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:
Rock Climbing
Here are Steve's McClure's top 8 crags for kids:
Get Climbing
Here's all you need to know about starting indoor bouldering
Rock Climbing Learn
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.
Rock Climbing Skills
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:
Indoor Climbing News
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.
Rock Climbing
Dinorwig slate quarries gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2018
Performance News
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.
Performance News
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.
Performance News
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.
Performance News
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.
Performance
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.
Indoor Climbing News
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).
Performance
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.
Performance
Part one of the Olympic Qualifying Series in Shanghai, China, began today with the Boulder qualifying round. 46 men and 48 women are contesting the combined Boulder and Lead event at the city’s Urban Park over a four-day event on the Huangpu riverside, all in a bid to secure coveted spots at Paris 2024.