Brooke Raboutou, a 23-year-old American climber who competed in the Tokyo Olympics, secured the silver medal in the combined climbing event, with Janja Garnbret taking the gold. This victory holds a special significance for Brooke, given her dual Franco-American climbing heritage as the daughter of Didier Raboutou, a French climbing legend from the 1980s.
Brooke faced the pressure of the Olympic Games head-on and delivered a stellar performance, matching Janja Garnbret in the bouldering segment and nearly clinching victory with a controlled climb. Tears of joy welled up as she realized she had secured an Olympic medal, and they intensified when her close friend Janja Garnbret claimed the gold. The happiness of sharing the podium with her training partner was evident.
For Brooke Raboutou and the Avezou family, climbing runs in their blood. Brooke spent her childhood summers in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, France, by the Aveyron River, in a stone house. Her father Didier Raboutou, a pioneer in climbing in the 1980s, shaped her climbing journey. Didier and his wife Robyn Erbesfield, a world champion climber, established a climbing school in Colorado, where they nurtured their children Shawn and Brooke into climbing prodigies.
Shawn excelled in outdoor bouldering, while Brooke, known for setting climbing records at a young age, had her sights set on Olympic gold after finishing fifth in Tokyo in 2021. Her connection to France is deep-rooted, having explored Paris and Fontainebleau’s iconic climbing spots. Balancing competition climbing with her love for outdoor climbing has been a fulfilling experience for Brooke in the City of Light.
Maintaining a balance between climbing and academics, Brooke pursued her studies at the University of San Diego against her parents’ advice. Despite her discreet nature about her climbing talent outside the sports circle, Brooke graduated with a degree in marketing in 2023. She navigated through high school keeping her climbing prowess a secret, balancing two separate worlds with finesse.
Brooke’s climbing style reflects a blend of American strength-focused climbing and French hip movement and flow. Her upbringing exposed her to the fluidity, understanding of movement, and flexibility that characterize her climbing strength. Securing the bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships in bouldering, where she ranks second globally, and dominating the Olympic qualification tournaments in Shanghai and Budapest, highlight Brooke’s exceptional climbing abilities.
Brooke Raboutou’s climbing journey embodies dedication, passion, and a unique blend of American and French climbing influences. With a silver Olympic medal to her name and a promising climbing career ahead, Brooke continues to inspire climbers worldwide with her remarkable achievements.