In a groundbreaking collaboration, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has joined forces with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to introduce the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This historic partnership builds upon the IOC’s establishment of the Olympic Esports Games by the IOC Executive Board (EB), with a proposal set to be presented at the upcoming IOC Session on the eve of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Bringing Esports to Olympic Status
Alban Dechelotte, the CEO of G2 Esports, believes that the Olympic Esports Games will elevate gaming to the same prestige as the Winter and Summer Olympics. The International Olympic Committee recently announced a 12-year partnership with Saudi Arabia to host this standalone event.
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Despite the Kingdom’s hosting of the Esports World Cup, some individuals expressed concerns over human rights issues by boycotting the event. Alban Dechelotte shared with BBC Newsbeat that the esports Olympics aim to ensure equal participation opportunities for male and female gamers.
As an advisor to the IOC for attracting younger audiences, Alban views this initiative as a massive opportunity for competitive gaming to expand its reach to new demographics. He highlights the steady growth of esports over the years, emphasizing the vast viewership of major tournaments and the increasing excitement surrounding the industry’s potential for further development.
Saudi Arabia as the Host
Saudi Arabia and the International Olympic Committee’s collaboration aims to hold regular “Olympic Esports Games,” as stated by the International Olympic Committee. Prince Abdulaziz, who leads the Saudi National Olympic Committee, expressed that this development is a natural progression for young athletes and the global esports community.
The IOC’s decision to launch video gaming Olympics is a strategic move to engage younger audiences. The agreement with Saudi Arabia emphasizes upholding Olympic values such as promoting gender equality and engaging with the youth audience embracing esports. This announcement coincided with the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in hosting sports events.
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious sports calendar aligns with Vision 2030, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focusing on economic diversification and societal modernization. While critics raise concerns over human rights records, the IOC views this partnership positively, citing Saudi Arabia’s expertise in esports. IOC President Thomas Bach highlighted the unique collaboration’s significance in driving the Olympic Esports Games forward.
Advancing Gender Diversity in the Esports
The underrepresentation of women at the top tiers of esports competitions continues to be a pressing issue, with only one out of 22 events at the Esports World Cup dedicated to women. Despite criticism surrounding the decision to host the event in Saudia Arabia, organizers have defended the choice, sparking concerns over LGBT rights and gender equality in the region.
Alban, reflecting on his positive experiences in Saudi Arabia amid staging major esports events, emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in esports. Acknowledging the industry’s failure to adequately support female players, he admits that talented individuals are not provided sufficient opportunities to excel professionally.
Alban envisions a different approach with the Olympic Esports Games, pledging to prioritize equal participation from the inaugural event onwards. He asserts the commitment to strive for full parity, highlighting the potential impact of achieving gender equality not only within the Olympics but across the entire esports landscape.
Show of Support for the Olympic Esports Games 2025
Despite some players opting out of the World Cup and facing opposition from within the esports community, thousands of fans are anticipated to attend the event in person with many more tuning in via live streams on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
Ralf, a veteran in competitive gaming with 27 years of experience, views the upcoming event as a positive step for esports, especially considering the recent industry challenges stemming from financial constraints leading to closures of teams and tournaments. He envisions the event as a catalyst to bring fans worldwide together, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration across various gaming communities.
Team Liquid, a prominent esports team, is actively participating in the competition and notably showcased their support for the LGBT community by wearing rainbow Pride kits during the tournament. Steve Arhancet, the CEO of Team Liquid, expressed the internal deliberations surrounding participation due to conflicting values with the host region’s human rights record. Ultimately, the team chose to attend, using the platform to amplify their support for LGBT individuals and provide representation for queer gamers within the community.
Wrapping Up
As fans eagerly anticipate the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025, it is essential to continue pushing for progress and addressing issues within the industry actively. With the Olympics embracing esports, there is no denying that competitive gaming has solidified its place in mainstream sports culture. It is now up to organizers, teams, and players to work together toward creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for all individuals passionate about esports.
