Slovenian rock climbing sensation Janja Garnbret has already claimed Olympic gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games, cementing her status as the leading figure in women's competitive climbing. Her motivation goes beyond medals; she is passionate about continual self-improvement, focusing on raising her strength, endurance, and technical skills every day. As the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approach, Garnbret is gearing up for a new challenge with the sport’s revised format that features separate medal events for speed climbing, bouldering, and lead climbing.

Sport climbing debuted at the Tokyo Games with a combined event involving speed, bouldering, and lead disciplines. By Paris 2024, speed climbing was separated into its own medal event, while bouldering and lead remained combined. Garnbret excelled under these formats, winning gold in both Olympics by showcasing versatility across disciplines. She started climbing around age seven or eight and began international competitions at 15, gradually moving from lower rankings to podium finishes through a methodical focus on personal progress rather than quick success.

Garnbret sees her toughest competition as herself, pushing to improve more than simply winning medals. She describes climbing as a mental and physical puzzle requiring intense concentration and split-second decision-making on the wall, which she finds thrilling and motivating. Despite her Olympic success, she views the Games as fundamentally unique and embraces the pressure that comes with competing on that global stage, preparing wholeheartedly for the next opportunity to excel.

Looking ahead to LA28, the Olympic format will award distinct medals in all three climbing disciplines separately, a change Garnbret supports as it allows athletes to specialize. She plans to concentrate on bouldering and lead climbing, where she has consistently demonstrated elite skill. With two years until the Games, she is focused on continuous training and looks forward to a 2027 World Climbing competition in Long Beach, which will serve as a test event and a chance to acclimate to the Olympic venue before aiming for historic achievements in Los Angeles.