Bern celebrates grand opening of World Championships

The city of Bern became a stage for sport excellence and global unity as it hosted the successful Opening Ceremony for the IFSC Climbing and Paraclimbing World Championships 2023 on Swiss National Day, August 1.

The unforgettable celebration began with a procession, starting at Münsterplatz and culminating in front of the Federal Parliament. More than 630 climbers and paraclimbers from 56 nations, fresh from the men’s Boulder qualification earlier in the day, were led by a Swiss marching band to the Bundesplatz – a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site.

In a stirring speech, IFSC President Marco Scolaris highlighted climbing’s core values of mutual respect, inclusion, and sustainability, stating: “These are not just words in Climbing, they belong to Climbing, to the climbers, they are our DNA.” He expressed pride in celebrating Swiss National Day with the opening of the 18th IFSC World Championships and the beginning of the journey to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

With the sun breaking through the earlier wet conditions, the event was a fitting start to 12 days of intense competition, featuring Boulder, Lead, Speed, and Paraclimbing categories. The men’s Boulder qualification has already set the pulse racing, with Japan’s Anraku Sorato and Ogata Yoshiyuki leading the way.

Switzerland’s own Julien Clémence, who secured a place in the semis, encapsulated the feeling of the day, remarking, “Qualification was amazing, the crowd was just going wild. I’m just so happy, I have goosebumps everywhere.”

The Opening Ceremony underscored the spirit of inclusion and the unique community that makes the world of climbing so special. The stage is now set, and as the world watches Bern, it is time to say: Ready, Set, Climb!

For a quick dive into the highlights of the Opening Ceremony, check out our Instagram Channel.

Photos: David Schweizer