Special Google Doodle Unveils Artwork as 18-Year-Old American Sets World Record in Sport Climbing Combined Olympics

 "Special Google Doodle Unveils Artwork as 18-Year-Old American Sets World Record in Sport Climbing Combined Olympics

Google's August 7th Doodle honors the Sport Climbing Combined Olympics at the Paris Games with a creative animation of a bird scaling an eagle-shaped hill.

This celebration coincides with American climber Sam Watson, 18, breaking his own Speed World record during the Paris 2024 quarterfinals. Watson set a new record by climbing a 15-meter wall in just 4.75 seconds, surpassing his previous mark of 4.79 seconds set at the Wujiang World Cup in April.

Sport climbing, a recent addition to the Olympic roster, has quickly garnered widespread interest. For those new to the sport, here’s a brief overview:

Olympic Climbing Overview:

• Debut: Sport climbing first appeared at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, after making a debut at the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games in 2018.
• Objective: Climbing was included to diversify the Olympics and appeal to younger audiences. It will also feature in the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics.

Disciplines:

1. Bouldering: Climbers scale a 4.5-meter wall without ropes, aiming to top it in the fewest attempts within a set time.
2. Lead: Climbers strive to ascend as high as possible on a 15-meter wall within six minutes in one attempt.
3. Speed: In head-to-head elimination rounds, climbers race up a 15-meter wall with a slight incline. Top male climbers complete it in under six seconds, while elite female climbers finish in under seven seconds.

Meet Sam Watson: Sam Watson, from Texas, is now the fastest climber in Olympic history. On Tuesday, he set a world record of 4.75 seconds in the Paris suburbs, earning a unique sporting title.

“I suppose 4.75, the fastest time ever run in the Olympics in a timed sport,” Watson told CNN. “That's a cool title; no one can take that away.”

When asked if he believes he can improve even further, Watson confidently said, “The goal is to win races and reach the top of the podium, but yes, I do think I can go faster.”

Watson’s love for climbing began in his hometown of Southlake, Texas, where his parents noticed his talent early on. At 16, he became the youngest man to win a World Cup medal and set the American speed record the following year. His success at the Pan American Games earned him a spot on the US team for the Paris Olympics, where he is a strong contender for gold.

Reflecting on his Olympic experience, Watson said, “It’s one of my favorite life experiences. Being a part of Team USA, seeing my childhood idols, and meeting so many people—it means a lot to me. The Olympics are incredible, and I’m soaking it all in.”

Outside of climbing, Watson enjoys chess and learning languages like Indonesian, which is spoken by some top-speed climbers. During Tuesday’s heats, Leonardo and Rahmad Adi Mulyono briefly held the Olympic record before Watson reclaimed it. He celebrated with a triumphant fist pump on his descent, securing a spot in the final eight