Current:Home > NewsFrench athlete attempts climbing record after scaling Eiffel Tower -Keystone Capital Education
French athlete attempts climbing record after scaling Eiffel Tower
View
Date:2025-04-18 08:10:10
A French climber attempted to break the world rope climbing record after scaling up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Wednesday.
Anouk Garnier scaled a free-hanging rope nearly 361 feet (110 meters) in 18 minutes - two minutes faster than expected. Garnier's time beats the previous rope climbing world record and the female rope climbing record.
"My dream has come true. It's magical," the 34-year-old climber told reporters after her feat. "If there was one thing I never doubted, it was that I was going to do it."
She added: "There were many ups and downs on the way to this record. The weather wasn't always my ally and we had to coordinate the agendas of all those involved in this monumental project. But I never stopped believing in it. The satisfaction and joy I derive from it today are all the greater. It's a crazy dream come true."
Garnier, who is an obstacle course racer, told reporters she also did the climb to raise money for cancer prevention and support. She said her mother was diagnosed with the disease.
"I saw her struggling so much. I wanted to do my bit," Garnier said.
The previous world record was held by South African athlete Thomas Van Tonder, who climbed 295 feet (90 meters) up a robe between the Soweto Towers in Johannesburg in 2020. Danish athlete Ida Mathilde Steensgaard held the female record after climbing 85 feet (26 meters) at the Copenhagen Opera House in 2022. Garnier's new record time has not yet been validated by Guinness World Records.
Garnier told reporters it was Steensgaard's climb that inspired her to attempt her record.
"I said to myself: 26 meters (85 feet) isn't that far, what monument could I climb?" she told AFP.
Garnier said it started to "hurt a lot" around the 262-foot (80 meters) mark.
The two-time world obstacle course champion trained for a year before her attempt on Wednesday. "I've visualized this moment so much, worked so hard for a year to get here that I can't believe it's really happened," she said, according to CBS News partner BBC News.
Garnier told reporters she plans to return to obstacle racing and will carry the Olympic torch in Marseille in May.
"I'm in great shape and I intend to keep it up for the next 10 years," she said.
- In:
- Sports
- Guinness World Records
- France
Lucia Suarez Sang is an associate managing editor at cbsnews.com. Previously, Lucia was the director of digital content at FOX61 News in Connecticut and has previously written for outlets including FoxNews.com, Fox News Latino and the Rutland Herald.
TwitterveryGood! (58673)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Rapper Phat Geez killed in North Philadelphia shooting, no arrests made yet, police say
- Kenny Pickett sees Eagles trade as 'reset,' 'confident' in leaving Steelers on good terms
- Looking for a way to ditch that afternoon coffee? Here are the health benefits of chai tea
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- MLB 2024: Splashy Ohtani, Yamamoto signings boost Dodgers as teams try to dethrone Rangers
- 'Who Would Win?': March Mammal Madness is underway. Here's everything players need to know
- Bill and Lisa Ford to raise $10M for Detroit youth nonprofit endowments
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Extra, Extra! Saie Debuts Their New Hydrating Concealer With A Campaign Featuring Actress Tommy Dorfman
Ranking
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Minnesota court rules pharmacist discriminated against woman in denying emergency contraception
- Men used AR-style rifles to kill protected wild burros in Mojave Desert, federal prosecutors say
- NIT is practically obsolete as more teams just blow it off. Blame the NCAA.
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- New eclipse-themed treat is coming soon: What to know about Sonic's Blackout Slush Float
- March Madness expert picks: Our bracket predictions for 2024 NCAA women's tournament
- MacKenzie Scott donates $640 million -- more than double her initial plan -- to nonprofit applicants
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Florida Legislators Ban Local Heat Protections for Millions of Outdoor Workers
'An Enemy of the People' review: Jeremy Strong leads a bold and necessary Broadway revival
Whoopi Goldberg Reveals the Weight Loss Drug She Used to Slim Down
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
Drew Lachey Weighs In On Brother Nick Lachey's Love Is Blind Hosting Gig
A newspaper says video of Prince William and Kate should halt royal rumor mill. That’s a tall order
John Legend thwarts 'The Voice' coaches from stealing Bryan Olesen: 'He could win'