All athletes

Solenne Piret

Climber

With two climbers for parents, Solenne grew up among the crash pads, chalk and quickdraws of the bouldering mecca that is Fontainebleau. And though not an instant love affair, climbing has been Solenne’s central focus since 2017, during which time she has bouldered up to 7B and won two world titles. Born without her right forearm, she has never let anything get in the way of her talent, which she hopes will take her to the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

Quick Facts

Hometown

Paris, France

Homebase

Briançon, France

Biggest dream

For paraclimbing to be included in the LA Paralympics in 2028.

How do I focus

I remember my previous successes.

Best advice

Don’t let anyone put limits on you.

What inspires you?

Seeing people who fight for what they want, especially in sports.

Words to live by

Believe in your dreams.

Favourite other fitness exercise

Paragliding.

I don’t leave home without my...

Water bottle.

Top 5 career highlights

Sombre Héros Icefall, Ceillac – (2023)
4 x Gold at Paraclimbing World Championships – (2018, 2019, 2021, 2023)
8 x Gold at Paraclimbing World Cups
Onde de Choc - 7b - Fontainebleau - (2021)
Pierrot - 7b - Fontainebleau - (2021)

Biography

Some of Solenne’s earliest memories are from the foot of the crags in bouldering mecca, Fontainebleau. After meeting here, her parents would take Solenne, her brothers and sister bouldering almost every Sunday. Climbing is, and has always been, a family affair.

Despite this, the sport didn’t initially captivate Solenne who focussed her efforts elsewhere during her teenage years. But after graduating as an architect in 2014 – a career she stills pursues as a freelancer – she returned to the rock in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since.

With the short-term goal of earning a place on the French national team, she made impressive progress, realising that dream before going onto win her category at the Paraclimbing World Championships in both 2018 and 2019. Though she credits much of her success to her coaches and support team, Solenne’s personal drive to succeed is strong.

When asked to sum up her approach to climbing, she told us this: “I’m motivated to take on the most difficult routes I can because paraclimbing is still a new sport. No one fully knows what is possible so I’m trying to push the limits to the max for the whole world of paraclimbing.”

Where those limits really lie, nobody knows. But having bouldered up to 7B, Solenne is sure to be one of the athletes pushing them. In the future, she would like her category of paraclimbers to climb 8A and get the chance to compete at the Paralympic Games. Though she’s not sure whether either ambition will be possible, her experience in life so far has taught Solenne to believe in her dreams.