General
International Olympic Committee Launches IOC Esports Commission
Last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the creation of a new commission focused on esports. This new Esports Commission was announced as part of a regular update on IOC Commissions for 2023.
Esports and the Olympic Movement
Virtual and simulated sports have become an increasingly important part of the sporting landscape in recent years. The IOC has already explored the potential of esports through initiatives like the Olympic Esports Week – held for the first time in Singapore this June – and the Olympic Esports Series, which invited both professional and amateur players from around the world to compete in virtual sports competitions.
However, the creation of an IOC Commission fully dedicated to esports represents a pivotal decision for the development of virtual sports within the Olympic Movement. It underscores IOC’s commitment to fostering virtual sports and underlines IOC’s recognition of the potential of esports to attract new audiences and create fresh opportunities for athletes and fans alike.
The President of the IOC Thomas Bach commented on the announcement:
“The IOC believes that virtual sports have the potential to complement and enhance the traditional Olympic sports, and that they can provide new opportunities for athletes and fans to participate in the Olympic Movement. We believe that virtual sports can help to promote the values of excellence, friendship and respect that are at the heart of the Olympic Games, and that they can inspire young people around the world to get involved in sports and to lead active and healthy lifestyles.”
The IOC Esports Commission
To understand the importance of the Esports Commission, it is important to understand the role of IOC Commissions in general. IOC Commissions vary in size and field of expertise and serve as advisory bodies to the IOC President, the IOC Session or the IOC Executive board. They typically focus on specific topics, upcoming events, or general areas.
The IOC Esports Commission will be tasked with further popularising the IOC’s esports efforts and will be made up of notable figures from both the esports and sports industries.
The Commission will be chaired by David Lappartient, President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), who previously led the IOC Esports Liaison Group and organised the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore.
Lappartient will be joined by high-profile sports and government figures including Olympic medallists BMX racer Sarah Walker and Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski, as well as FIA CEO Natalie Robyn. The CEO and Secretary General of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Abdulaziz Baeshen will also join the Commission.
On the esports side of the lineup, G2 Esports CEO Alban Dechelotte and Ubisoft’s Senior Director of Global Competitive Gaming Zeynep Gencaga have been named as members. They will be joined by Konami’s Manager of Global Business Development Shinji Namekawa, TikTok’s Head of Gaming and Esports Harish Sarma and esports and sports psychologist Mia Stellberg.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the establishment of the IOC Esports Commission represents a pivotal moment in the convergence of esports and traditional sports within the Olympic Movement. With a diverse roster of accomplished individuals from both industries, the Commission is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of esports within the IOC.
