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A French athlete set a daring world record at her country’s most recognizable landmark.

Anouk Garnier broke the men’s and women’s world rope climbing records at the Eiffel Tower. The two-time world champion obstacle course racer climbed 110 meters (nearly 361 feet) to the second floor of the tower in 18 minutes.

鈥淢y dream has come true. It鈥檚 magical,鈥� Garnier said after climbing the free-hanging rope in two minutes faster than expected. “If there was one thing I never doubted, it was that I was going to do it.”

She continued: “There were many ups and downs on the way to this record. The weather wasn鈥檛 always my ally and we had to coordinate the agendas of all those involved in this monumental project. But I never stopped believing in it. The satisfaction and joy I derive from it today are all the greater. It鈥檚 a crazy dream come true.鈥�

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The previous world record was held by Thomas Van Tonder, a South African athlete who climbed 90 meters up a rope between the Soweto Towers in Johannesburg in 2020. Ida Mathilde Steensgaard, a Danish athlete, held the female record after climbing 26 meters up a rope at the Copenhagen Opera House in 2022.

Garnier now holds the record for both the highest climb and the highest climb by a woman. She started rope climbing in 2022 after winning the world obstacle course championship in her age category and seeking a new challenge. She stated that she was inspired by Steensgaard’s success. “I said to myself: 26 meters isn’t that far, what monument could I climb?” She told AFP.

Garnier said she had spent a year preparing for the challenge and was delighted to see her family as she descended.

鈥淚t was so beautiful to see them so proud. They鈥檙e the ones who instilled in me this discipline of sport, of always giving my best, and of always striving for excellence. It鈥檚 thanks to them I鈥檓 able to do extraordinary things today.鈥�

Following her mother’s cancer diagnosis, the climber expressed a desire to raise funds for the League Against Cancer. 鈥淚 saw her struggling so much. I wanted to do my bit,鈥�  Garnier explained.

Garnier will be able to add Olympic torchbearer to her resume this spring, in addition to being a record holder and two-time world champion. She will carry the Olympic torch in Marseilles in May, ahead of the 2024 麻豆APP Olympics Opening Ceremony on July 26.