It is not easy to engage with the public in a new discipline, but 18-year-old Alberto Gines achieved it in the Tokyo Olympics in just 6.42 seconds. That was how long it took him to scale the 15-metre wall in speed modality climbing. He could only manage seventh in bouldering, but a fourth place in the final discipline, lead climbing, gave him the points he needed to win a historic gold medal for Spain; the first ever awarded in this spectacular sport. Ginés started climbing with his parents when he was very young and has been coached since we was ten. He has been dubbed the 'Spanish Spiderman' at home.
ALBERTO-GINES-1
ALBERTO-GINES

how alberto ginés and his fellow nominees reshaped the olympic idea

 

s

 

Nomination
Year
Result

Email Sign up

Email Sign-up

Sign up for all things Laureus

Get regular updates throughout the year