Esports have exploded in popularity over the past ten years, enthralling both players and spectators. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is now embracing this worldwide trend by considering the establishment of Olympic Esports Games as the phenomenon continues to gain traction.
This ground-breaking discovery was made at the 141st IOC Session’s Opening Ceremony in Mumbai, India. Notably, Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee, confirmed the group’s commitment to investigating Olympic Esports Games by instructing the recently established IOC Esports Commission to look into its development, opening the door for esports to locate a home inside the Olympic movement.
Bach insightfully recognized the esports phenomenon’s global appeal, illuminating the staggering figure of three billion gamers and esports fans globally. Furthermore, he underlined that esports, particularly in the area of sports simulations and virtual sports, are exhibited by a startling 500 million people, who clearly have a passion for them. Importantly, he pointed out that this passionate audience is primarily made up of people under the age of 34, signaling a definite generational transition in the sports and entertainment industries.
In President Bach’s own words, “I have asked our new IOC Esports Commission to study the creation of Olympic Esports Games.”
The IOC’s new declaration is a ringing support of their decision to enter the esports industry, although details about the Olympic Esports Games are yet unknown. Which esports games will be selected and included in this esteemed category is yet to be determined. The gaming world is left to guess if renowned games like League of Legends, CS:GO, Dota 2, or PUBG will be included. One thing is certain: this historic change will open up new possibilities for esports betting aficionados all around the world.
One thing is clear as the IOC works to alter the competitive gaming landscape: the combination of the Olympics and esports will usher in a spectacular new age that will captivate the attention of millions of people worldwide.