The Burden of Expectations in Competitive Climbing

Athletes often experience significant pressure from both internal and external expectations, particularly in the context of competitive climbing and the Olympics. Many climbers may impose their own high standards, wishing to achieve or maintain particular levels of performance. However, it can be less about external expectations since not many outside the climbing community understand the intricacies involved. The true weight of expectation seems to intensify significantly for those competing in the Olympics, where the label of 'Olympian' carries an implicit assumption of excellence even for those who have not placed first in prior competitions.