### Understanding the Difficulty of Olympic Sport Climbing
Olympic sport climbing, particularly bouldering, is often underestimated by viewers. Despite it appearing accessible, the top competition poses significant challenges.

– **Expert Insights**: Garrett Gregor, head routesetter for the Paris Olympics, emphasizes the substantial difficulty of climbing routes, debunking misconceptions that they are merely showy.
– **Grading**: Although Olympic boulders aren’t formally graded, they range approximately from V9 to V12 for women and V10 to V14 for men.
– **Competition Format**: Athletes face rigorous challenges with little time to solve problems. Semi-finals feature four unpreviewed boulders each with a five-minute limit, while finals allow for a two-minute preview before tackling four problems in four minutes each.
– **Setting Process**: Setting involves trial and error over a week, adjusting routes based on athlete performances post-semi-finals. The goal is to create a balanced challenge that showcases various climbing skills.
– **Safety Rules**: Setters follow strict guidelines, avoiding downward jumps and designs that could evoke controversial imagery, as seen in previous Olympics.
– **Preparation for Climbers**: Gregor stresses three core pieces of advice for Olympic contenders:
1. **Be Prepared**: Manage what’s within your control in training and mental readiness.
2. **Stay Present**: Focus amid the pressure of the Olympic stage to enhance performance.
3. **Enjoy the Experience**: Appreciate the rarity of this opportunity in your climbing career.