Paris Olympics 2024: Campbell Harrison to represent Australia in sport climbing at Paris Games

Breaking barriers is something sport climber Campbell Harrison knows plenty about, as he heads to the Paris Olympics not only representing Australia, but the LGBTIQA+ community too.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. February 7, 2024. Campbell Harrison, who will climb for Australia in the Paris Olympic Games. Pic: Michael Klein

Breaking through barriers is something Australia’s latest Olympian, Campbell Harrison, knows a lot about.

Sport climbing is making its second appearance at the Olympic Games in Paris with the 26-year-old from Seaford blazing the trial for a pursuit many thought was a hobby rather a gold medal event.

And he’s also proudly representing the LGBTIQA+ community, inspiring them to not shy away from sport.

“At its core being queer is just a part of who I am and I think it is really important, whether I am openly advocating or championing queer issues, the fact that I’m not shying away from my identity as a queer person is really important,” Harrison said.

Campbell Harrison, who will climb for Australia in the Paris Olympic Games. Pic: Michael Klein

“I have met so many people who are queer people who don’t see themselves as included within sport.

“So just being one person who can step into a sporting atmosphere and not shy away from that aspect of my identity can be really empowering for other people who would aspire to be athletes themselves or even just be able to get out and enjoy something like climbing.

“I think its important that we are able to embrace it as normal.”

Harrison and fellow Victorian Oceania Mackenzie – who made her Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago – were named as the fourth and fifth Australian team members (the number is expected to get to 480) by chef de Mission Anna Meares yesterday.

While Mackenzie, 21, is overseas training, Harrison was on hand at Collingwood’s Urban Climb – where he also works part-time – to receive his Qantas Olympic plane ticket from Meares.

“I think climbing was the last fundamental human movement to be included in the Olympic Games,” he said.

“We have swimming, running, cycling but everybody climbs. At some age or another everybody engages in climbing in some form.

“I see it as this cool adventurous sport so I think it just makes sense to include and it is capturing this new audience for the Olympic Games.

“Climbing is a bit of a sport for people who find themselves outside of the typical athletic mindset so I think it is a really harmonious combination.”

Harrison says his sport isn’t for the typical athlete. Pic: Michael Klein

According to his mother, Yvette, there were signs early doors he was destined to be a climber which he tried for the first time at the age of eight.

“He used to love Tomb Raider (movie) and thought he was Lara Croft there for a while,” she said. “He would climb around the carport or door frames around the house, you’d find him squished up in the corner somehow with a foot out there and just hanging off things.”

Harrison, who was the second oldest of four kids, concedes he had a “lot of energy” to burn as a kid.

“I was a very active child, I had a lot of energy and climbing was a great outlet for that as well,” he said.

“I think a lot of people think of climbing that it’s like an adult playground, you really get to step into this world and be a kid.”

There will be a large Harrison fan club in Paris, led by oldest sibling Emily who despite having stage 4 breast cancer is determined to be on hand to cheer her brother.

Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission gives Harrison his ticket to Paris. Pic: Michael Klein

“Her diagnosis is really hard for the family and I’m really excited that she is going to be there in Paris and that the Olympics is something we are going to be able to share together,” Harrison said.

“It is something cool she is going to be able to do and hopefully put her mind off everything that going on to some degree.

“Even the majesty of the Olympics can’t dull the seriousness of that situation but I am excited it is something we can share together.”

Sport climbing was one of four sports that made their Olympic debuts in Tokyo, along with karate, skateboarding and surfing.

For Paris it has been divided into two disciplines, speed climbing and the lead/boulder event (longer, higher and more technical) which is what the two Australians will contest.

Originally published as Paris Olympics 2024: Campbell Harrison to represent Australia in sport climbing at Paris Games