The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended the creation of the “Olympic Esports Games” to the 142nd IOC Session, which will take place during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The proposal will be put to a vote by IOC members at that time. According to the official IOC website, discussions with potential host countries for the esports events are already underway, with announcements expected in the near future.
IOC President Thomas Bach said:
The staging of Olympic Esports competitions marks a significant step forward for the IOC and keeping pace with the digital revolution. We are delighted with the enthusiasm shown by the esports community for this proposal. This further demonstrates the appeal and values of the Olympic spirit.
Since 2018, the IOC has been engaging with esports in various ways. We will choose a path that allows the IOC to succeed in esports while remaining true to the values that have guided the IOC for over a century.
Our values in esports remain our red line that we will never cross.
IOC Official Social Media:
IOC President Thomas Bach announced that the Executive Board has proposed the establishment of the “Olympic Esports Games” to the 142nd IOC Session.
IOC members will vote on the proposal during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The IOC began its comprehensive engagement with esports in 2018. Following the Esports Forum in Lausanne in the same year, the IOC established an Esports Liaison Group to engage with all esports stakeholders.
In 2021, the IOC launched the Olympic Virtual Series, its first foray into esports.
President Bach explained:
Building on the experience of the Olympic Virtual Series, we organized the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore earlier this year. What we saw in Singapore confirmed that our efforts to engage fully with esports are bearing fruit. We successfully brought together the Olympic and esports worlds.
The highlight of the Olympic Esports Week was the live finals of various disciplines presented in collaboration with International Federations (IFs) and gaming publishers. Over 130 athletes from around the world competed in 10 mixed gender events on the international stage.
The Olympic Esports Series, including qualifications, attracted over 500,000 unique participants. The series registered over 6 million live views across all platforms and channels, with 75% of the audience aged between 13 and 34.
President Bach concluded:
This is an exciting start. But it’s just the beginning, as it is with any sport: after an encouraging start, the real competition lies ahead.
IOC Executive Board Proposes Launch of Olympic Esports Games. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/esports-express/ioc-executive-board-proposes-launch-of-olympic-esports-games.html
