As the BBC prepares for its annual Sports Personality of the Year gala, fans can expect to see highlights of Team GB’s Olympic success, particularly highlighting Toby Roberts, its youngest ever medalist. gold of Paris 2024.
The moment Roberts took victory in the Boulder & Lead competition was electrifying; his expressions oscillated between disbelief and pure joy as the crowd burst into applause for the 19-year-old’s remarkable achievement.
Roberts not only brought home the only Olympic gold medal for British teenagers; he also contributed to the country’s impressive total of 14 gold medals. However, if you’re hoping to see him at the ceremony in Salford, think again—Roberts has decided not to attend the event.
This is not a rejection or expression of disappointment for not being among the nominees, although many argue that his accomplishment deserves such recognition. If anything, it underscores his intense dedication to climbing, a sport he loves and which he finds continually challenging despite his recent success.
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“Winning was a major milestone for me, but it wasn’t my ultimate goal,” Roberts told The i Paper.
“As soon as I crossed the finish line, my thoughts turned to what comes next. Climbing is my passion, so while I’m thrilled it’s over, I can’t wait to get back to the “training and taking on new challenges in the open air. It’s a personal journey where I fight against my own limits.”
Speaking from the Parthian Climbing Center in Wandsworth, Roberts is currently climbing in Spain, tackling one of the most daunting routes in the world, the Perfecto Mundo in Margalef. Coincidentally, he is also preparing to join his mother, Marina, for a night out on the popular show Strictly Come Dancing.
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A glimpse into Roberts’ world reveals a family juggling the rigors of Olympic training. His father, Tristian, wears many hats as a coach and organizer, coordinating the program with painstaking precision.
Tristian’s effort is evident, having built a climbing wall in their garden during the pandemic to ensure Toby’s Olympic aspirations did not fade away. He even admits that he had an advantage at chess—until Toby began studying the game intensively.
Roberts’ humble nature prevents him from comparing his success to that of teenage sporting sensations like Luke Littler or Emma Raducanu; he insists on carving out his own identity in the sport, even as he becomes a leading figure in rock climbing—a trend that is not lost on sponsors like Red Bull.
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The UK is experiencing a climbing renaissance, and Roberts’ influence is undeniable. Although a full report from Sport England due in April 2025 will provide additional insight, preliminary data shows that climbing has seen the largest increase in new participants among Olympic sports since 2016.
The numbers are impressive: the adult climbing community grew from 262,100 to 375,900, marking an increase of 113,800 participants, while other Olympic disciplines like skateboarding and wrestling are also on the rise.
Today, there are more than 400 indoor climbing facilities in the UK, 43% of which have been established in the last five years—a stark contrast to the early days when the Stevens brothers opened The Warehouse in Gloucester in 1993 as one of only five centers nationwide.
“This has always been an exciting project, but with increasing competition, we knew we had to innovate to survive,” said David Stevens.
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With the recent closure of The Warehouse, they are launching the £7 million 270 Climbing Park—a facility four times the size of its predecessor, intended to host international competitions. They aspire to welcome 250,000 visitors per year and respond to the growing interest in sport climbing among young people.
Stevens’ son Theo, a competitive climber himself, echoes the change in culture surrounding the sport: “Climbing is now trendy. I can talk about it with my friends—something I wouldn’t have been able to do ten years ago. It’s a sport suitable for the whole family, competitive but friendly.”
Theo’s sister Charlotte has also witnessed the rise in interest in climbers like Roberts, particularly at events such as speed climbing, which attract attention and attract new enthusiasts. “Inclusiveness makes climbing attractive. Everyone can enjoy it and thrive together, regardless of skill level,” she notes.
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It is clear that whether it is speed climbing, bouldering or lead climbing, the sport captivates audiences and reignites passion among young people. And as we approach April, when the number of participants is expected to increase again, the climbing frenzy shows no signs of flattening.
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