General
The Dawn of Olympic Esports: A New Chapter Unveils in Mumbai
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has embarked on a pioneering journey, announcing its exploration into the creation of Olympic Esports Games. This revelation, made by IOC President Thomas Bach during the Opening Ceremony of the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India, signifies a monumental stride towards integrating esports into the esteemed Olympic realm.
A Visionary Announcement in Mumbai
In the presence of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Thomas Bach unveiled the IOC’s innovative plans for esports, acknowledging the staggering global engagement it has amassed. With three billion people worldwide participating in esports and gaming and over 500 million expressing a specific interest in esports, Bach emphasized the relevance of this domain to the IOC, particularly noting the majority demographic being under the age of 34.
Bach announced,
“I have asked our new IOC Esports Commission to study the creation of Olympic Esports Games,”
signaling a potential new era where sports’ digital and physical realms converge on the Olympic stage.
Navigating the Esports Landscape with Olympic Values
The IOC has been actively engaging with the esports community since 2018, navigating through its vibrant yet often “violent” nature to find a balance that aligns with the core Olympic values. The IOC’s journey into esports has been cautious yet progressive, initiating ventures like the Olympic Virtual Series and subsequently launching the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore. The latter successfully amalgamated the Olympic and esports communities, showcasing a promising start to a collaborative future.
The Olympic Esports Series, which attracted over 500,000 unique participants and generated more than 6 million views across all channels, demonstrated esports’ vast potential and appeal within the Olympic context. However, Bach acknowledges,
“This was a promising start. But it is just that: a start. It is like in any sport: after even a promising start, the real race still lies ahead.”
Embracing Technology and Youthful Mindset
Bach also underscored the imperative of embracing digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure the continued success and relevance of the Olympic Movement. He advocated for a change in mindset to align with the digital lives of the younger generation, emphasizing,
“We must not ignore their thinking if we do not want to jeopardize our own future. We must empower them to guide us with their young mindset.”
The IOC has initiated efforts to holistically analyze the opportunities and risks associated with AI, with Bach hinting that these efforts’ outcomes may be visible in the Paris Olympic Games.
Conclusion
The announcement of exploring the creation of Olympic Esports Games marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Olympic Movement, bridging traditional sports with the dynamic world of esports. As the IOC, under the leadership of President Thomas Bach, navigates through this innovative path, the global esports community, traditional sports enthusiasts, and athletes will keenly observe how this venture unfolds, potentially heralding a new era where digital and physical sports coalesce on the esteemed Olympic platform.
Via IOC
Image: IOC/Greg Martin
