The two days of competition, organised by the Alpenverein Imst-Oberland and Sportkletterreferat, are due to take place at Kletterzentrum Imst.

The spectrum of climbers ranges from the blind and leg and arm amputees to the neurally and physiologically impaired.

They will compete across the categories of B1, B2, B3, AU1, AU2, AL1, AL2, RP1 and RP2.

Three routes per category will be climbed tomorrow followed by a further three on Sunday (July 8).

Alpenverein Imst-Oberland is organising the event for a fifth time.

There were 34 athletes from 10 nations in 2016 and 54 athletes from 12 nations in 2017.

Hosts Austria will be represented by a squad of 11 athletes this year.

The International Federation of Sport Climbing officially started hosting Paraclimbing competitions in 2006. 

Prior to that, in 2003, the French Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing invited athletes with a disability to climb speed routes at the World Championships in Chamonix.