Esme Harte: Aiming for a landmark climb at LA 2028

Photo: Esme Harte

Esme discovered climbing when she was seven years old, being introduced to a local climbing wall whilst her dad was living away from home for six months. 

It proved to be life changing. 

She said: “I’m trying to find a way to word it without being cliché, but climbing has been transformational in my life.  

"My life is climbing. I don’t think I’d be here without it.” 

Esme has been competing internationally since 2014 and is one of the more experienced athletes on the GB Para climbing Team.  

She competes in the AL2 classification and has enjoyed a career with major international medals, including bronze at the Para climbing World Championships in both 2014 and 2016, as well as bronze at the IFSC Para climbing World Cup in Laval in 2025. 

But for Esme, climbing has always been about more than medals. 

Esme said: “It’s a place where everybody is interested in how to solve the problem that’s in front of them, rather than saying, ‘No, this isn’t doable. This isn’t possible.’ 

“It’s about what ideas we can come up with to get this body from A to B, whether that body is short, tall, fat, thin, with wobbly bits or not.” 

After stepping away from competition for a period due to personal circumstances, Esme always hoped to return. 

“I wanted to compete that whole time. It was just a matter of circumstance. Then the circumstances changed, and I knew I wanted to be part of the Paralympics when the support was announced for 2028.” 

Now, with para climbing set to make its Paralympic debut at LA 2028, Esme is aiming to be part of a landmark moment for the sport. 

“I would love to be at LA 2028. It makes a big difference for para climbers.” 

For Esme, the Paralympics also offer an opportunity to challenge perceptions of who climbing is for. 

“Climbing is still very much considered a boys’ club for strong, able-bodied white men. But being in the Paralympics I hope it will open the door and let people see and think, ‘You know what? Maybe I’ll give it a go.’” 

That opportunity to simply try is at the heart of everything Esme believes in. 

“Disabled people get so many more ‘no’s growing up than anyone else. I don’t expect people to have all the answers.  

"The people I work with aren’t experts, they’re people who have said, ‘I don’t know if I’ll be able to, but I’ll try.’ 

“You have to be willing to have a go, and that’s all people want from you.” 

Esme has received SportsAid support at different stages of her career.  

She was previously supported whilst competing internationally after being nominated through GB Climbing and is now part of SportsAid's Backing the Best programme. 

Esme uses her funding to support the costs of international competition and training. 

But she says the support goes beyond financial help. 

“SportsAid always reach out and say good luck before a competition, and when I make finals or win medals, I get a little message saying well done.” 

“They share my Instagram stories too, which is always really nice.” 

As Esme continues her journey towards LA 2028, her message remains simple: 

“Do you know what? Let’s have a go at figuring it out.”