"This is still competitive sport" | Interview with para climber Sebastian Depke

Sebastian Depke is one of the most important figures in the development of para climbing in Germany. In this interview, the 40-year-old talks about the sport's long journey to the big stage in Los Angeles and explains what the successful bid for the Paralympic Games has to do with his own abrupt end to his competitive climbing career – and why he won't be bored in the future.

That para climbing will make its debut at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles is thanks in no small part to him: Sebastian Depke, as a para climber, long-time athlete representative and chairman of the Para Climbing Committee, has been instrumental in making this happen. the former IFSC Sebastian played a key role in the bid for Los Angeles. "That it would work out on the first try wasn't clear to me until the very end," says Sebastian. Two years after the application, in the summer of 2024, came the big surprise: Para climbing would be part of the Paralympic Games for the first time in 2028. Sebastian and his colleagues had made it happen – and in doing so, they initiated a development in the sport with far-reaching consequences.

But let's start at the beginning: Sebastian Depke first started climbing in 1998 in one of the Ettringen basalt quarries near his hometown of Kemmenau, close to Koblenz – he was just 13 years old at the time: "Friends took me to the crag and I literally got hooked." While Sebastian tried his hand at various styles of climbing in the following years, he began experiencing increasingly severe pain and restricted movement in his hips and spine. The symptoms worsened, and at 21 he received the diagnosis: ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory, rheumatic autoimmune disease. For two years, Sebastian could only walk with crutches – a low point in his health at just 24.

Nevertheless, Sebastian fights his way step by step away from crutches and back to the wall. In 2016, he meets Jernej Kruder by chance, who puts him on the right track. Para Climbing-scene draws attention: "He said to me: This is something for you." Kruder was right: From 2017 onwards, Sebastian Depke regularly competes in the RP1 sports class for athletes with neurological or physiological impairments, and he stands on the World Cup podium four times with a bronze medal. In total, Sebastian participates in around 20 events, and behind the scenes he is involved as a commentator, athlete representative, and member of the Para Climbing Committee.

Fast forward to 2025, a year that marks a turning point in Sebastian's climbing career. In preparation for the Paralympics, the selection criteria for the national team are tightened: anyone who doesn't achieve at least eighth place at the World Championships in Seoul is out. Sebastian finishes the World Championships in 14th place – and with it, his career. The fact that the very system he helped create is now his downfall seems surreal at first. "At the same time, I don't want to waste my energy on things I can't change," says Sebastian. Even though he won't be competing in the 2028 Paralympics himself, the freelance IT specialist remains closely connected to para climbing – and continues to be a vocal advocate for the development and promotion of the sport.

Sebastian Depke in the LACRUX interview

How does one become a para climber, Sebastian?

Sebastian Depke: When Jernej Kruder first told me about para climbing in 2016, it was a completely different world. I immediately googled it and couldn't find a website or any other information – unimaginable today (laughs). I then got in touch with someone on Facebook and that's how I ended up at my first trial training session. From 2017 onwards, I was a member of the national team for eight years. Looking back, a lot really happened during that time.

Where did your desire to compete come from?

Jernej motivated me to try para climbing and said something I've never forgotten: "You're not climbing against others, but against the route and yourself. As long as you're having fun, nothing else matters." It really clicked for me when I first climbed with other people who also have disabilities. Before, I was always the exception – suddenly, I was the rule. It was so inspiring because I realized: We're all on equal footing, and the others completely understand what I have to deal with and what it's all about.

In your sports class RP1, athletes with neurological or physiological impairments participate. What exactly does that mean?

The RP sports class is extremely diverse because its description is relatively open compared to the other classes. This means it includes athletes with very different disabilities. Some athletes from lower RP classes require a wheelchair, while others are limited by mobility or coordination, for example. Within the already severely impaired RP1 class, I am among the more severely disabled climbers. Overall, climbing styles among the RP athletes vary greatly.

Para Climbing: How the classification works

To ensure the fairest possible competition, there are ten different sports classes for both men and women, categorized by type and degree of disability. A number following the abbreviation (1–3) indicates the degree of impairment, decreasing with each higher number. All routes are climbed using top rope. 

B – Athletes with visual impairments (blind)
AL – Athletes with limb or function loss (lower limb)
AU – Athletes with limb or function loss (upper limb)
RP – Athletes with neurological/physiological impairments (limited range/power)

Before official competitions, new athletes undergo medical examinations. Medical certificates and documents are reviewed beforehand, and the athletes are subjected to various tests on site and then observed during the competition to determine their athletic class.

These sport classes evolve over time. For example, for several years now, athletes with only one functional arm have competed in RP1 because their former class, AU1, was dissolved in favor of the newly introduced AU3. Interestingly, despite our different limitations and the difficulty of the routes, we often achieve similar rankings. Because a route is always climbed by athletes from multiple sport classes, route setting unfortunately cannot guarantee complete separation in every case.

How difficult is it in general to ensure comparability and fairness? Para climbing to produce?

I think we need to move away a bit from the idea of ​​direct comparability. For example, in 2017 I stood on the podium for the first time in Edinburgh. The two other medalists from back then now compete in completely different categories – not because their medical conditions have changed, but because the categories have become even more differentiated since then. This shows how relative rankings in para climbing can be.

In para-climbing, it's also possible that sports classes are combined. How often does that happen?

Until a few years ago, this so-called "merging" was often the norm when there weren't enough participants. We've since introduced the "Mixed Class AL1," a mixed-gender sports class within AL1, because there weren't enough women in that category. Overall, however, the situation has improved. In 2025, Innsbruck hosted the first World Cup where all men's and women's classes competed without merging – a milestone. At the same time, merging remains useful in smaller, national competitions to meet the minimum number of participants per class.

Let's be clear: A lot has happened in para climbing in recent years. First, the successful bid for the Paralympics, then last year the first open German ChampionshipWhat has accelerated this development the most?

Since the first Para Climbing World Championships in Arco in 2011, the number of international participants has grown steadily – and the German team has grown accordingly. When I joined in 2017, the squad consisted of fewer than five athletes. Today, Germany is one of the largest Para Climbing teams worldwide, second only to the USA, because the nomination policy was very open for a long time. This drove the numbers up. Overall, we now have Para Climbing World Cups that are as big as the Climbing World Cups from my early days. We couldn't have dreamed of such a development back then.

Overall, many countries are now heavily invested in promoting and developing Paralympic sports. Team Korea and Team China, for example, simply appeared on the scene overnight. Today, we see much more diversity at the World Cups than before – from New Zealand to South America, and from Canada to Iceland. In addition, there's the phenomenon of "sport-hopping," where athletes switch between Paralympic sports. This will also increase in the future and is an effect we are observing more and more. One example of this is Luisa Grube., who started in para alpine skiing before her time as a para climber (class B2).

As a long-time athlete representative and chairman of the Para Climbing Committee of the former IFSC (now: World ClimbingYou yourself have initiated many changes. What motivated you to do so?

In 2019, I applied to be the athletes' representative on the commission with the following statement: "I'm Sebastian Depke, I speak German, English, and French, and our biggest issues are route setting and classification. That's what I'll be working on" (laughs). At that time, it wasn't common practice for athletes to talk to route setters, for example. I just went ahead and did it because I thought: We need to talk to each other more. My conversation with route setter Christophe Cazin at the 2019 World Championships in Briançon was the starting point for the first route-setting guidelines in para climbing. As the first route setter representative on the commission, Christophe immersed himself in the topic, and this has had a lasting impact on route setting and has improved it significantly. Even though there's still no absolute fairness, we're certainly complaining about it on a much higher level today.

This is just one example of what I learned in my work on the commission: sometimes you simply have to go to people and talk to them – ideally in their own language. Ultimately, these are all people who are happy to be doing this and want to make a difference. And it is only because of people like them that we are where we are today.

Your contribution to the successful bid for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics has made a significant impact on para climbing. What did that process look like?

The IFSC's strategic plan for 2020–2028 clearly defined a Paralympic bid as a goal. When no competitions took place in 2020 due to Covid-19, we in the committee revised the classification rules. We submitted the bid in 2022 and then heard nothing for two years. I deliberately kept expectations low because I thought: This was our first time bidding, no chance.

A total of 33 para-sports applied to host the Los Angeles Games. At the beginning of 2023, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) confirmed the first 22 – the "Program Sports" that were also included in Paris. The IPC then allowed the local organizers to add para-climbing and/or para-surfing as "Additional Sports" from the remaining eleven, meaning as new sports at the Games. In the summer of 2024, it was confirmed: We were in! This makes climbing one of the big winners in terms of athlete participation and medal count in Los Angeles compared to Paris. Sport climbing will also be included in the 2028 Games. more medals and starting places.

What was it like for you when you knew: We did it?

At first, the process felt like working out a difficult bouldering route – move by move, step by step. I honestly didn't expect it to work out so quickly. I'm especially proud that we brought together the right people who took the next step. The saying "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, take a team" fits perfectly.

At the same time, this period on the commission was also extremely demanding. It's important to mention that I did the job unpaid and essentially part-time alongside my regular work. Afterwards, I was completely exhausted. That's why I decided in the summer of 2025 not to continue on the commission. With the decision to include the Paralympics, para climbing has become much more politically serious, and the tone has changed. And I realized that politics and compliance issues aren't exactly my main hobbies (laughs). It's time to bring in some fresh blood. There's no bad blood involved, quite the opposite. I'm happy to continue offering my expertise to my colleagues on the commission.

Let's also talk about the downside of the Paralympics for many athletes: the new team selection criteria. The World Championships in Seoul determined who stays on the team and who drops out. What was that like for you?

This is basically quite unspectacular. In competitive sports, it's ultimately about rankings and criteria, and I simply didn't meet them. What's new is that, due to the sport's Paralympic status, the standards of the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS) now apply to the German Alpine Club (DAV). These are significantly stricter than the previous guidelines, and several other para-climbers besides myself have fallen victim to them. Those who finished in the top four at the World Championships are in the Paralympic squad – those who climbed into the top eight can at least be selected for the development squad. With my 14th place finish, I unfortunately didn't make that cut, despite my many years of competitive experience.

Regarding my personal performance, I can view this result quite objectively. The newcomers who joined my sports class are, on average, more skilled than me and some are less restricted. Several others have also made small steps forward and are now further along than I am. Furthermore, the entire middle of the pack in RP1 is often only a few moves apart. The difference between 4th and 14th place is often less than a handful of moves.

I found the short notice with which the new selection criteria were communicated rather difficult. We only learned the full implications a few weeks before the World Championships. For an athlete to have their career end so abruptly with just one event is simply a complete shock. Nevertheless, the approach is problematic: in years with a World Championship, performance at the World Championships alone determines athlete status for the next two years. If all countries thought this way, we certainly wouldn't have the large number of competitors we have internationally. Furthermore, the top-eight rule doesn't take the size of a category into account. But this is still competitive sport – and competitive sport is based on fixed guidelines that can sometimes seem harsh and unforgiving.

To what extent has the qualification of para climbing for Los Angeles changed the funding structures of the sport?

The lives of athletes are significantly impacted by Paralympic status because funding now differentiates between Paralympic and non-Paralympic sports categories. Non-Paralympic sports categories are completely excluded and no longer appear on any official lists of the German Disabled Sports Association (DSB). This is, of course, a profound change for these athletes.

How was the decision made regarding which sports classes would participate in the 2028 Paralympics and which would not?

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has specific criteria for Paralympic sports categories. For example, for "Program Sports," at least ten athletes from four different countries must participate for at least four years. For "Additional Sports"—which is what we, with para climbing, fall into—somewhat less stringent rules apply. Generally, the sports federations propose various sports categories, and the IPC makes the final decision.

These sports classes will compete at the 2028 Paralympic Games

Damen: B2, AU2, AL2, RP1
Herren: B1, AU2, AL2, RP1

Due to the overall limit of 4.400 athletes for the Paralympic Games, our committee was allowed to propose four to five sports classes for approximately 80 participants each. We considered various aspects in this process: the total number and gender balance of athletes, as well as the balance and comparability within the sports classes. This ultimately led to the decision regarding the classes that will participate in the Paralympics.

What is the state of funding for para climbing outside of the Paralympic Games?

Participating in Para Climbing World Cups or the World Championships requires a significant personal investment at every level. When you add up all the costs for travel to events and training sessions, it's safe to say: it's a pretty expensive hobby. The fact that we now have World Cups outside of Europe every season is fantastic, of course, but it also needs to be financed. At the World Championships in Seoul, most paraclimbers were in Korea for around ten days due to the schedule and acclimatization. Compared to the average vacation budget in Germany, that's quite an achievement.

The financing of professional careers has also been a major topic in lead, speed, and bouldering recently. How do you see para climbing in comparison?

When it was last year the private fundraising appeal I was initially surprised that there were climbers from the national squad of the other disciplines. We paraclimbers also launched a call for participants to travel to the World Cup in Los Angeles in 2021. The result This clearly shows that you can afford a few plane tickets with it, but it's not a long-term strategy. The issue of financing elite sports in Germany is generally complex, and it's not about taking resources away from each other. At the same time, the significant imbalance in funding for Olympic and Paralympic sports cannot be denied.

In what way?

Since the beginning of 2025, the German Sports Aid Foundation has implemented a new funding concept, resulting in an insufficient number of funding slots available to the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS). In concrete terms, this means that for the nearly 620 German athletes who participated in the last Summer and Winter Olympic Games, there are approximately 1.700 funding slots. However, for the roughly 200 para-athletes from Germany who competed in the Paralympics, only 160 funding slots are available. In para-sports, there are therefore fewer funding slots than participants. This raises serious questions, and not just for me.

Promotion in Para Climbing

Since the 2026 season, funding pools for Paralympic and non-Paralympic classes have been separate.
These organizations and associations are involved in promoting para climbing:

The German Disabled Sports Association (DBS) It manages and distributes the funds provided by the Federal Ministry of the Interior for elite athletes. These funds are used to finance the travel expenses of athletes and support staff, for official training activities and international competitions, as well as for the fees of support staff and for the procurement of training and physiotherapy equipment.

The German sports aid The program provides individual support to Paralympic squad athletes, with the amount depending on their squad status and performance in 2025. The number of funding places is capped at 160 for para-athletes (not climbers) under the new concept.

The German Alpine Club (DAV) provides a general budget for Para Climbing, from which various services are financed: among others, the work of the national coach, travel expenses of the squad athletes of the non-paralympic classes or the increase of the DBS fees for support staff of the DAV.

Source: Press inquiry to the DAV dated January 13, 2026

What is the reason for this – and how does an athlete deal with such a decision?

The only explanation I can come up with is that they based it on the slightly less than ten percent of people in Germany who have a severe disability status. Of course, I don't know if that's true. I would very much like to understand the reasons behind this and can only hope that efforts will be made to find a solution. The German Disabled Sports Association (DBS) is currently publicly criticizing the German Sports Aid Foundation (Deutsche Sporthilfe)., which, in my view, is pretty much the highest level of escalation in terms of public relations.

In principle, I think it would be good if there were funding for everyone who deserves it – including those who haven't met the new squad criteria. Even the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS) clearly states the current situation: The focus is clearly on athletes who have realistic medal chances. Everything else will not be supported.

How does para-sport in Germany fare in international comparison when it comes to funding?

In other countries, the situation is quite different: Para athletes often receive a significantly higher share of funding and more starting places. In other countries, there are already para climbers who pursue it professionally and full-time. The current situation in Germany saddens me because para climbing and sport climbing are professional sports. If you're competing at the highest level, you should be able to make a living from it, not be impoverished by it. Although there is partial support or reimbursement of costs in Germany, the Paralympic and Olympic Games are the pinnacle of the sport. Naturally, one hopes for a future there.

DAV will promote para climbing in the long term

“Structurally, para climbing is already partially integrated into existing high-performance sports structures – further expansion is being pursued, depending on resources and cooperation with the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS). […] With a view to a possible Paralympic perspective from 2032 onwards, the German Alpine Club (DAV) is pursuing a clear developmental approach: sustainable performance development, international competitiveness, and close coordination with the DBS, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), and the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC)/World Climbing. The goal is to develop para climbing not as an add-on, but as an equal part of competitive climbing.”

Christoph Reichert, DAV National Coach Para Climbing

What else do you wish for in the future of para climbing?

The biggest challenge, in my view, is to maintain and build upon what we have achieved. This year, we are bidding for the next Paralympic Games in Brisbane in 2032, for which we are aiming for more places and medals. For this to happen, it is incredibly important that the six non-Paralympic sports categories also maintain their presence and continue to grow. At the same time, this growth must be managed and financially supported – there is still a lot of work ahead for the sport.

For myself, I hope to continue sharing the stories of my colleagues and friends with the world, as I recently did as a commentator at the Para Climbing World Cup in Laval. What's special about para climbing is that everyone has a compelling story. I often feel that when it comes to illness, disability, and hardship, people prefer to look away rather than pay attention. But these issues affect everyone sooner or later. The question isn't if, but when.

Personally, I find it incredibly enriching to know people who know how to deal with such situations. People who say: "Yes, I am disabled, but my life still works – and it works well. I go out and push the boundaries, because they aren't where we think they are."

In 2025, you yourself were confronted with limitations that shaped the further course of your climbing career. Have there been any positive changes since the World Championships in Seoul?

Absolutely. For example, I went on my first real vacation with my girlfriend, the kind other people probably take: without climbing, training, or feeling guilty about not doing enough. We spent a few weeks in the US and flew all our climbing gear back and forth for absolutely nothing because it just never worked out (laughs). Plus, I now have more time for other athletic and technical challenges, although I still have significantly more projects than time.

Zum Beispiel?

This ranges from home automation and 3D printing to sailing, diving, and route maintenance on rock faces – the list is really long. I'm also currently further developing my self-built solar bike, which I used to circumnavigate Mallorca in 2024 and travel to the World Cup in Innsbruck. After that, I want to push the record for the longest distance covered in a single day even further. It currently stands at 400 kilometers – I think there's still room for improvement.

Good luck and all the best, Sebastian.

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Credits cover photo: Nicholas Perreth