Chris Sharma: Olympic Hopeful

In this episode of Climbing Gold, Alex Honnold and Fitz Cahal interview Chris Sharma, a legendary climber, about his unexpected return to competition climbing after years of focusing on outdoor climbing achievements. Sharma discusses his early experiences in climbing competitions as a teenager, his brief but successful stint on the World Cup circuit, and his reasons for initially stepping away from competitions to pursue first ascents on rock. The conversation explores Sharma's motivations for returning to competition, inspired by the dynamic route climbing seen at the Olympics, and his experience participating in a national cup event and the US Nationals. Sharma reflects on the challenges of balancing competition training with his love for outdoor climbing and family life, and contemplates his future in the sport, considering a potential Olympic bid while remaining passionate about pushing his limits on rock.