Alpinism

Alpinism is governed internationally by the Union internationale des associations d’alpinisme (UIAA), also well known as the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation. It was created in August 1932 in Chamonix, France, and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with 99 member associations and federations from 77 countries as of January 2026.

Pierre de Coubertin had plans for medals to be awarded for alpinism at the Olympic Games in his original Olympic Rules from the 1894 Olympic Congress. It is mentioned in the original programme for the first Olympic Games, and eventually medals for Merit for Alpinism were presented at the Chamonix 1924 Winter Games, and at the Los Angeles 1932 and Berlin 1936 Summer Games.