The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the creation of the Olympic Esports Games during its 142nd Session in Paris, with the first competition set for 2025 in Saudi Arabia. This move aligns the IOC with the digital revolution, according to President Thomas Bach. While discussions about including esports in the Summer Olympics have been ongoing, the IOC emphasized the physical demands of virtual sports, akin to traditional ones.
The IOC’s partnership with Saudi Arabia’s National Olympic Committee has been unanimously supported by the IOC Executive Board. The Esports Commission has actively engaged with this initiative, highlighting the Olympic brand’s appeal among young people. Saudi Arabia, with over 23.5 million gamers, has quickly become an esports hub, hosting numerous international tournaments.
Planning for the Olympic Esports Games will focus on city and venue selection, game titles, and participant qualification. A distinct structure for these games will be established to cater to the unique nature of esports. This new initiative follows the IOC’s Esports Forum in 2018 and the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in 2023.
Source: CGTN
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