Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Team GB climber Molly Thompson-Smith out to become 'role model' amid call for more diversity
Published 03/07/2024 at 23:03 GMT+1
She might be set to make a dream debut in the Olympics, but British climber Molly Thompson-Smith is motivated by more than just gold ahead of the Paris 2024 Games. The 26-year-old, who is a mixed-race athlete, is hoping to inspire change and spearhead the push for more diversity within the sport. Catch all the action from this summer’s Olympics live on Eurosport and discovery+.
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British climber Molly Thompson-Smith hopes to become a “role model” for underrepresented groups when she goes for gold in this summer’s Paris Olympics.
The 26-year-old was selected alongside fellow Games debutants Erin McNeice, Toby Roberts and Hamish McArthur for Team GB’s climbing squad.
She began climbing at an early age but her ascension through the ranks hasn’t been plain sailing.
Thompson-Smith, who is a mixed-race athlete, has been subjected to racism at various stages throughout her career and wants to use her platform to inspire change and encourage the sport to become more diverse.
“I've definitely experienced racism and microaggressions within climbing,” she told BBC Newsbeat. “I think it's important to be honest about my experiences because some people simply don't believe it.
“One of my main motivations for competing at the Olympic Games is to be that role model, that athlete I wish I had when I was a kid.”
It was at her seventh birthday party that Thompson-Smith first discovered her love of climbing and 19 years later, she will go for gold in Paris.
However, her ultimate goal is far more important than taking the top step of the podium.
“I remember that party so well. I remember not really caring about how my friends were getting on and just having the best time, being that kid that was like, 'Me, me, me! I want to go next!'
“Pretty much from then on, I've never stopped climbing - I was hooked.”
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She added: “Going to Paris means so much more than just my own personal performance. I really hope that I'm the athlete that a little girl or a little boy needs to see and can connect to.”
There are three disciplines within the women’s Olympic climbing competitions across two medal events – speed and combined – which run from August 5 to August 10.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer
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