Rock climbing made its debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan (postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The decision was based on a single, but critical factor - the International Federation of Sport Climbing, in 2015, estimated that there were 35 million climbers worldwide. It was a more than enough indication of the popularity the sport has garnered over the years.
Considering its rich history, its inclusion as an Olympic sport was a long time coming, though.
Although rock climbing was an important component of Victorian mountaineering in the Alps, it's generally believed that rock climbing began in the last quarter of the 19th century. Gradually, it evolved from an alpine necessity to an athletic sport in its own right. It's no more a fringe activity.
https://consciouslifenews.com/ascending-the-corporate-ladder-becomes-easier-if-you-have-a-rock-climbers-approach/11210993/