Last August, the International Olympic Committee announced a new roster of events that will be added to the 2020 games in Tokyo, including baseball and softball, karate, skateboarding, climbing, and surfing. The climbing event will include three different disciplines: sport, bouldering, and speed.
Speed climbing will supplant the 100-meter dash as the fastest sport in Olympic history with winning times clocking in around 7 seconds.
For years, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) has pushed for climbing’s inclusion in the Olympic Summer Games but was passed over. The sport received a second chance for the 2020 Olympics when a new program was introduced that allows the host country to propose sports with local and international appeal.
“We are so happy that Sport Climbing will be participating in the Games of Tokyo,” said IFSC president Marco Scolaris. “The Olympics have been our dream for quite some time, and now the hard work has finally paid off. We would like to thank the IOC for extending a truly unique opportunity to our sport.”
At the 2020 Olympics, 40 climbers (20 men and 20 women) will compete over four days, and the medals will be awarded based on their overall performance across all three disciplines. Currently, the world’s fastest speed climber is Reza Alipour of Iran. The 23-year-old set a world record earlier this year by scaling a 15-meter wall in just 5.48 seconds. The previous record holder was Ukraine’s Danyil Boldyrev who scaled the wall in 5.6 seconds.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.