Leading sport climber picks Edinburgh for next Olympic campaign

By Tom Harle

One of the world’s leading sport climbers has chosen the University of Edinburgh as the base for her next Olympic campaign.

Aleksandra Kałucka, from Poland, has opted to relocate to the capital and take advantage of the two world-class climbing walls at the university.

It all started when Kałucka won her first World Cup gold in the city back in 2022.

“I fell in love with the city at that point,” said the 22-year-old. “I’m very happy to be here and every single day is so special for me.

“I have decided to do my masters here and I think it’s going to be the greatest opportunity to learn something new, to experience something new and just to take a step outside my comfort zone.

“The atmosphere in Edinburgh is special, I don’t know what it is exactly, but it’s fantastic.”

Kałucka, who is studying Applied Mathematics, has been taken aback by the university’s facilities in her short time in Scotland so far.

“The gym facilities, it’s something that surprised me a lot, it’s so well equipped,” said Kałucka, peaking to promote The University of Edinburgh Celebration of Sport event which took place at The Playfair Library on Tuesday evening.

“The fact that I’m in the sport programme, it provides me with everything I need, to enjoy being a student and an athlete at the same time. I want to be the best in each part of my life.”

Kałucka claimed a stunning bronze medal on her Olympic debut at Paris 2024.

Entering her first Games as a European silver medallist, she was beaten by compatriot and eventual gold medallist Aleksandra Mirosław in the semi-finals, despite scrambling to a personal best time of 6.34 seconds.

Kałucka went on to beat Rajiah Sallsabillah of Indonesia in the bronze medal match to claim a surprise podium finish.

“I didn’t expect a medal before the Olympic Games,” she said. “My goal was just to enjoy the competition and that was it. I’m so proud of myself that I did it. Being an Olympian is so special for me and it’s crazy that I won a medal at my first one.”

Kałucka’s twin sister Natalia is also an elite speed climber but fell narrowly short of qualification for Paris.

“I am already looking forward to the next Olympics,” she said. “I had to fight for a ticket with my sister. I want to qualify again, but this time I hope we can compete there together.”

Aleksandra Kalucka was speaking to promote The University of Edinburgh Celebration of Sport event which took place at The Playfair Library on Tuesday evening. For more information on University of Edinburgh Sport visit www.uoesport.ed.ac.uk