Help Liam Represent Canada at the PanAm Champions

I am Liam Klettke, I am a 20 year old Canadian Rockclimber.

This year I have received an invitation to compete for team Canada at the 2024 Pan-Am championships in Chile!. As honored as I am to received this invitation to the competition. My initial reaction to the email was of massive excitement! I had just got my first official invitation to an international competition! Somthing I have been dreaming of since I was 15 when I first found out really good climbers could climb on the world stage! Let alone for the Pan-Am game's!!! The first step towards competing for team Canada and earning my first real jersey. Ever since I started speed climbing I have wanted to attend the climbing Olympics. Hopefully achieving my child dream of going to the Olympics. My personal goal is to qualify for the 2028 or 2032 Olympics. With this being my first introduction to the international stage representing Canada.

Ever Since i was 15 I have traveled North America competing under my provincial jersey to Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver and even across the boarder for my forst time to Travel to Alexandria Virginia in fall of 2023 and to Salt lake City in May of this year!

Soon after reading the email and celibating with my training coach, the feelings of exitment was soon felt with a mix of dread, the date is set for November 19th-24th of this year and I am unsure if I can make up all of the funds with out taking out a loan to pay for the travel out of country. I come from a single income home and work to support all of my own climbing and travel expenses for it.

This is why I have created this page, in hopes to raise awareness and hopefully make it to the competition and support other athletes who willcbe attending this competition. With the governing body of Canada climbing association even saying that there is no support available for this competition. This Shines a small light into how our sport is entirely funded by its athletes, coaches, route setters and vollenteers. I hope our local community's and people can share this in hopes of creating a propper support network and funding for athletes so Canada can have propper representation at the world stage!

In other recent personal events my only means of transportation broke down on August 15th and since I have been saving to get a newer vehicle with no luck as of Oct 1st...

Even with the amazing support from my close freinds, community and family I am unsure if I will be able to attend due to the competition being next month!

I'm used to short notice travel plans as climbers regularly get 4-8 weeks notice that we need to travel for competitions. More so when i live in Duncan Bc but the regular travel to and from Victoria 4 days as week is a major expense in addition to paying for all of the competition fees, travel, and accommodations.

Speaking of which, you can follow along

my climbing journey and progress on instagram and Facebook under the tag

@lk_klettke

If you have taken the time to read this all I as is for you to share it if you cannot donate. Raising awareness of what Canadian athletes have to go through to attend the competitions in the sport they love is the main idea behind this page.

Those who can I am incredibly grateful for every dollar donated will solely go towards climbing expenses or coaching fees.

Thank you everyone who has read, shared, or heard my story and those who are interested in helping.

Thank you for supporting my Olympic Dreams and climbing team.