The Olympics committee recently approved the Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia for a 12-year run, marking a significant milestone. This move aims to attract a younger audience by tapping into the world of video games, which is hugely popular among the youth. The concept of esports in the Olympics has been tested before, but now the focus is on a large-scale integration of gaming into the Olympic realm.
One of the main concerns with this partnership is how traditional Olympic values will translate to the world of esports. Fair play, anti-doping measures, and inclusivity are some of the key issues that need to be addressed. In a recent interview with Olympics sports director Kit McConnell, he explained that the Olympic Committee has been engaging with the esports community for several years to bridge the gap between the Olympics and gaming. The decision to host the Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia was a strategic move to engage with the global youth and promote Olympic values through technology and sport convergence.
The goals of the Olympic Esports Games are to engage with young people globally, promote Olympic values, and provide a platform for the best esports athletes to showcase their skills. The event will run every two years, alternating with the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. The games chosen for the event will include sports simulations, physical representations of sports, and traditional esports titles that align with Olympic values.
Maintaining Olympic values in the world of esports is crucial, especially when it comes to drug testing and fairness in competition. McConnell emphasized the importance of ensuring a level playing field and protecting the health of athletes by implementing education and testing measures similar to traditional Olympic sports. The event will also focus on gender equality and inclusivity to promote diversity within the esports community.
Hosting the event in Saudi Arabia raises concerns about gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights in the country. While progress has been made in women’s sports participation, there are still issues surrounding equal rights and freedom of expression. The Olympic Committee assures that there will be no discrimination based on gender or sexuality at the Olympic Esports Games, in line with the Olympic Charter.
As the International Olympic Committee ventures into the world of esports, the success of the Olympic Esports Games hinges on maintaining core Olympic values, ensuring fairness and inclusivity, and creating a welcoming environment for all participants. The coming years will test whether this high-profile leap into video games will resonate with the younger generation and be embraced by the global gaming community.