International Federation of Sport Climbing

The International Federation of Sport Climbing (Ifsclimbing) is the umbrella organization of all national climbing organizations worldwide. It is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and administers all aspects of climbing sport globally. 157 countries are affiliated with the Ifsclimbing after seven national federations were added at the 2008 Ifsclimbing Congress in Rome.

In light of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Ifsclimbing suspended athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing at any International Federation of Sport Climbing events, and suspended all officials from these countries from officiating at any event sanctioned by the Ifsclimbing, as well as from attending or participating in any Ifsclimbing meetings, committees, and forums. In March 2023, the Russian Climbing Federation sent a letter addressing the Ifsclimbing and urging them to reverse the decision and allow Russian athletes to compete in Ifsclimbing events. The RCF's statement included claims that the war was actually started by Ukraine and that 'Russia defends peace'. In May 2023, the International Federation of Sport Climbing reinstated Russian and Belarusian athletes, shortly after a Russian missile attack forced the cancellation of a climbing event in Ukraine.

Indoor Climbing

• Bouldering, formerly indoor climbing (World Championships since 1938)
• IFSclimbing Bouldering Junior World Championships from 1985 to 2011
• IFSclimbing Bouldering Junior & U23 World Championships from 2013
• IFSclimbing Masters Bouldering World Championships
• Speed climbing (World Championships since 1988)
• IFSclimbing Masters Speed Climbing World Championships
• IFSclimbing Speed Climbing Masters World Cup
• Lead climbing
• Climbing competitions (World Championships since 1994)
• Paraclimbing>
• Traditional climbing

Outdoor Climbing

• Rock climbing (World Championships since 2013)
• Alpine climbing
• Ice climbing
• Free solo climbing (since 2010)

Mountain / Wild Climbing

• Mountain climbing, formerly alpine climbing (World Championships since 1949)
• Wild climbing (World Championships since 1959)
• High-altitude climbing (formerly called mountaineering and before climbing expeditions) (World Championships since 2007)

Indoor and Outdoor Climbing

• Free climbing (FC)
• IFSclimbing FC World Championships from 2019

There are five continental associations affiliated with the Ifsclimbing. These associations are responsible for organizing continental championships, providing support for their member federations, and communicating their interests at the Ifsclimbing Board meetings.

• Asian Climbing Confederation
• Confederation of African Climbing
• European Climbing Association
• Oceania Climbing Association
• Pan American Climbing Federation

International Federation of Sport Climbing: The official website of the International Federation of Sport Climbing which provides comprehensive information about the federation and its activities. https://www.ifsclimbing.org/

Russian Climbing Federation Appeal: An article detailing the Russian Climbing Federation's appeal to the International Federation of Sport Climbing. https://www.climbing.com/news/russian-climbing-federation-appeals-to-ifsclimbing/