IOC Executive Board proposes creation of 'Olympic Esports Games

As per a recent development, the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has put forward a proposal for the establishment of “Olympic Esports Games” at the upcoming 142nd IOC Session during the Paris Olympics where the IOC Members will vote on this proposal. Advanced discussions are already underway with a potential host, and an official announcement is expected shortly after final formalities are completed.

Having marked its maiden venture into esports with the Olympic Virtual Series in 2021, the IOC launched the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in June 2023 where over 130 players from around the world competed across 10 mixed-gender category events. 

The event drew a full house of fans in Singapore and garnered significant online viewership, with over 500,000 unique participants and six million live-action views across all platforms, notably popular among viewers aged 13 to 34.

Esports has firmly established itself in major international multi-sport competitions, having been featured at the Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022, where India's DOTA 2 team secured a bronze medal. It was also a medal sport at the Asian Games 2022, with India competing in five titles. Previously, esports was showcased as a demonstration event at the Asian Games 2018, where India's Tirth Mehta won bronze in Hearthstone.

In regard to this development, please find below the quotes of key stakeholders from the Esports industry sharing their insights on the potential inclusion of Esports at the Olympics:

1. Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming:

"This recent development around the "Olympic Esports Games" further fortifies the dawn of esports as a mainstream sport in international multi-sport events.

The decision to make International Federations responsible for the adjacency of their sport to an esport title empowers democratically elected and independent sports federations the ability to engage with the youth of their respective sports while keeping the tenets of the Olympic charter.

The Olympic Esports Games is an endorsement of esports by the most prestigious global sports body, realizing its value and giving it recognition. With the strategic partnership of NODWIN gaming with the Global Esports Federation (GEF), our aligned vision is to elevate esports globally in emerging markets.  

We expect newer partnerships with existing and fresh entrants in the space for brands, publishers, and communities.

I am excited and hopeful that the opportunity offers traditional esports titles a chance to be chosen by International or National Federations and will soon be included as a medal sport in the Olympics as well as this new-age sport will finally be embedded under the iconic rings of the Olympics."

2. Roby John, CEO and Co-Founder of SuperGaming:

"We're excited to see the International Olympic Committee (IOC) actively considering the inclusion of Esports in the Olympics. This is a major step in recognizing Esports as a legitimate performance sport. By integrating Esports into the Olympics, the IOC acknowledges the dedication, skill, and sportsmanship of this growing field. The hard work of governing bodies, stakeholders, game developers, and especially the gamers, has made this achievement possible. This move validates the importance of esports and celebrates the efforts of everyone involved. In our own small way, we are proud to contribute to the grassroots growth of Esports in India, and it is exciting to see the grit and talent of players from across the world compete at Esports and shine in their Olympic journey."