As fans prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games featuring traditional sports like swimming, beach volleyball, and gymnastics, this decision sets the stage for video games to join the global competition.
Esports fans have shown mixed reactions to the news, but industry leaders see significant potential.
Gen.G Esports CEO Arnold Hur emphasised the broader implications for government and educational support.
“This may not matter much to the average esports fan, but this has huge implications for government and educational support for esports at all levels,” Hur said.
��Whether it��s renting a venue for a match in Seoul or receiving course credit for an esports/gaming industry course, this is big.��
Although shooter games like Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty will not be included, the likely lineup features popular titles such as League of Legends, Rocket League, Street Fighter, Tekken, iRacing, NBA 2K, FIFA, and various mobile games, according to esports insider Rod “Slasher” Breslau.
A HISTORIC VOTE!
The 142nd IOC Session votes for the creation of the Olympic Esports Games.
Mark the date
pic.twitter.com/CPRrwrirba
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) July 23, 2024
IOC President Thomas Bach remarked on this milestone: ��This is truly a new era for the IOC.”
“With the confirmation by the IOC Session of the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, we are keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution.
“The esports community, represented in our Esports Commission, has enthusiastically engaged with this initiative.
“This is further proof of the attractiveness of the Olympic brand and the values it stands for among young people.��
Last year, the Olympic Games hosted the Olympic Esports Series, where esports were tailored to their real-life counterparts, such as Fortnite for shooting and Tennis Clash for tennis.
The 2025 Olympic Esports Games will mark the first official inclusion of esports as part of the Olympic movement.
The IOC has partnered with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia for the next 12 years, ensuring that the Olympic Esports Games will be hosted in the Kingdom for the next three editions.
This decision follows the successful Olympic Esports Week in Singapore, which prompted IOC President Bach to commission a study on the creation of the Olympic Esports Games.
The IOC Esports Commission, led by IOC Member David Lappartient and including top esports representatives like G2 Esports CEO Alban Dechelotte, has designed a project that merges gaming with Olympic values, promoting gender equality and youth engagement.
Work will commence immediately to select a city and venue for next year��s inaugural edition, with more details to be announced soon.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, already hosting the first Esports World Cup, is investing heavily in sports and entertainment as part of Vision 2030, aiming to diversify its economy and cultural landscape.
��This partnership is based on the Olympic Charter and the Olympic values,�� said Bach.
��The NOC of Saudi Arabia will bring great �C if not unique �C experience in the field of esports to this project.��
]]>The inaugural event will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, as revealed by L��Equipe.
This announcement follows the success of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, which hosts 21 esports titles across 22 tournaments and aligns with Saudi Arabia��s Vision 2030 plan, which heavily invests in the esports industry.
The IOC has partnered with the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This follows the IOC��s recent announcement to establish the Olympic Esports Games.
More: https://t.co/by155ZBxfn pic.twitter.com/l7GimbPzZj
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) July 12, 2024
Thomas Bach explained that the Esports Olympics would be organised within a new specialised structure within the IOC and would be distinct from the traditional Olympic Games in terms of organisation and financial model.
The initiative awaits validation at the 142nd IOC session.
The event is planned to take place at the end of 2025 to accommodate various competitive calendars.
Following the inaugural event, the Olympic Esports Games will occur every two years, with South Korea and the United States already in discussions to host future editions.
The Olympic Esports Games will feature three categories: virtual sports, sports simulations (such as EA FC24 and NBA2K), and popular esports games (like League of Legends).
The IOC aims to include around 15 games across these categories, engaging over 60 nations.
Discussions are underway to incorporate games like Rocket League and Street Fighter.
This new initiative marks the IOC��s renewed effort to integrate esports into the Olympics ecosystem, following past attempts that had limited success.
The IOC acknowledges the unique aspects of esports, particularly those games like League of Legends that are not linked to traditional sports or international sports federations.
Despite previous challenges, the IOC remains optimistic about esports’ place within the Olympic framework.
Bach highlighted the enthusiastic response from the esports community and the attractiveness of the Olympic brand.
Historically, the IOC has supported esports events, such as the 2019 Intel World Open featuring Rocket League and Street Fighter V, and the FIFAe World Cup established in 2004.
The formal approval of the Olympic Esports Games is expected during the IOC committee meeting from July 22�C24, 2024.
Details regarding the specific titles and further organisational aspects will follow post-approval.
The IOC has entered into a 12-year partnership with the Saudi Olympic Committee to host the games, ensuring continuity and leveraging Saudi Arabia’s expertise in esports.
However, this partnership has faced criticism due to Saudi Arabia��s human rights record, particularly concerning women and LGBTQ+ communities.
In conclusion, the IOC��s partnership with Saudi Arabia for the Olympic Esports Games signifies a significant step towards integrating esports into the Olympic movement, promising a distinct structure and approach while aiming to uphold Olympic values.
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