IOC explores creation of Olympic Esports games to engage younger generation
Posted : 17 October 2023
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has revealed its interest in exploring the creation of an Olympic Esports Games, with IOC President Thomas Bach emphasizing the importance of engaging the younger generation. During the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, Bach pointed to the 500 million gamers, specifically interested in esports, many of whom are under 34. He highlighted the need to empower this demographic to ensure a sustainable future.
However, Bach emphasized that any esports inclusion must adhere to the IOC's values, stating they won't compromise their principles. He cited the example of the International Shooting Sport Federation Island in Fortnite, which was designed to align with Olympic values. The recent Olympic Esports Series, held during Olympic Esports Week, was considered a promising start, drawing over 500,000 participants and 6 million views, primarily from viewers aged 13 to 34.
Despite its early success, the Olympic Esports Series received criticism from the esports community for featuring non-traditional esports titles. The specific content and format of the proposed Olympic Esports Games remain undisclosed. This potential move represents a significant step for the IOC in embracing esports, building on the Olympic Esports Series and the Olympic Virtual Series.
The Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) responded positively to the IOC's announcement, citing its collaboration with publishers to adapt popular games for the 2022 Asian Games. These adaptations aimed to align the games with Olympic values. Notably, traditional esports titles like League of Legends and Dota 2 have already been integrated into the Asian Games, with South Korea's League of Legends team achieving military exemption for their gold medal win in 2022.
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