In 1991, the Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme (UIAA) organized the competition climbing championships.

[5] In 2007, the independent IFSC was created as a continuation of the ICC to govern competition climbing.

[1][2][3] In 2018, a specific combined event was included which the six climbers with highest overall ranking[6][7] were invited to enter.

In 2019 the Combined competition was held again with the best eight men's and women's athletes receiving invitations to the 2020 Olympics.

Para athletes compete in lead only, except for 2011 when a speed climbing competition was held as well.