The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that the LA 2028 Summer Olympics will feature three distinct sport climbing events: boulder, lead, and speed. This expansion will increase the number of medals awarded by three per gender, and raise the athlete quota to 76, up from 68 in Paris 2024. Natalia Grossman, Jakob Schubert, and Jesse Grupper have praised the decision, highlighting its recognition of the sport's core disciplines and growing international popularity. The International Federation of Sport Climbing will elect new leaders in Cyprus this weekend as it guides climbing and para-climbing into the next Olympics.

Elnaz Rekabi, the Iranian climber who competed without a hijab in 2022, has left Iran following interventions from IOC President Thomas Bach. After the 2022 incident, Rekabi faced detention, family harassment, and travel restrictions. Bach requested direct communication with Rekabi in 2022. The IFSC named her a rock climbing coach in February 2023, but the IMSCF blocked her visa. Bach then invited her to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games as a coach, and in January 2025, the FISC announced Rekabi as the Athlete Role Model for Sport Climbing in Dakar 2026.