A French athlete has broken a daring world record on her country’s most iconic landmark.
Anouk Garnier broke the men’s and women’s world records for rope climbing at the Eiffel Tower. The two-time world obstacle course champion climbed 110 meters (nearly 361 feet) to the tower’s second floor in 18 minutes.
Garnier broke the previous record held by South African Thomas Van Tonder, who climbed 90 meters on a rope between the Soweto Towers in Johannesburg four years ago.
“My dream has come true. It’s magical,” Garnier said via The Guardian. “If there’s one thing I never doubted, it was that I was going to do it.”
In addition to setting a record, Garnier took the opportunity to raise funds for the French Cancer League, a cause close to his heart.
“My mother has cancer and it was important for me to go beyond my limits for a good cause that is close to my heart, helping cancer research,” she said via Yahoo.
In addition to record holder and double world champion, Garnier will be able to add another title to her list this spring: bearer of the Olympic torch. She will carry the Olympic flame in Marseille in May before the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled for July 26.
NBC Chicago
