The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has proposed the creation of the “Olympic Esports Games” to the 142nd IOC Session. This proposal is set to be voted on at the 142nd IOC Session at the 142nd IOC Session during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With the IOC already in advanced talks with a potential host, an official announcement is expected shortly after final approvals are secured.
IOC Proposes Launch of Olympic Esports Games for Paris 2024
IOC President Thomas Bach expressed his enthusiasm for the Olympic Esports Games. He highlighted how the Olympic Esports Games aligns with the digital revolution. “With the creation of Olympic Esports Games, the IOC is taking a major step forward and is keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution. We are very excited how enthusiastically the esports community represented in our Esports Commission has engaged with this initiative. This is further proof of the attractivity of the Olympic brand and the values it stands for,” he said.
Since 2018, the IOC has been integrating esports into its framework. The journey towards the Olympic Esports Games began with the Esports Forum in Lausanne, followed by the establishment of the Esports Liaison Group to engage with various stakeholders. This group evolved into the IOC Esports Commission, chaired by IOC Member David Lappartient. In 2021, the IOC launched the Olympic Virtual Series, marking its first venture into esports and paving the way for the Olympic Esports Games.
The IOC introduced the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in June 2023. This event was a significant success, featuring live finals with over 130 players competing in 10 mixed-gender categories, cheered on by a full house of fans and a massive online audience. The series attracted over 500,000 unique participants and generated more than six million views, with a substantial portion of the audience aged 13 to 34.
The Esports Commission, upon the directive of the IOC President, has swiftly developed a concrete proposal for the Olympic Esports Games. This new entity will operate under a dedicated structure within the IOC, separate from the traditional organizational and financial model of the Olympic Games.
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