Cybersport Olympics getting closer: IOC to consider proposal to create digital competitions
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach announced that the organisation will consider a proposal to create an Olympic cyber sports games.
Here's What We Know
The discussion will take place during the 42nd IOC Session, which will take place during the Olympic Games in Paris.
At the moment, negotiations with potential organisers are underway. Some sources claim that the first Olympic Cybesport Games will take place as early as 2026 in Japan.
By creating the Olympic Cybesports Games, the IOC is taking a big step forward in keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution. We are delighted with the enthusiasm of the cybersport community for this initiative. It is further proof of the appeal of the Olympic brand and the values it stands for.
IOC President Thomas Bach announces that the Executive Board has proposed the creation of 'Olympic Esports Games' to the 142nd IOC Session.
- IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) June 14, 2024
The IOC Members will vote on this proposal at the Session during the Olympic Games Paris 2024. pic.twitter.com/lIBUCxm2kK
Recall that the idea of holding cybersport events as part of the Olympic Games has been discussed for a long time. Cybersport was first introduced at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, as a demonstration event.
In 2023, Singapore hosted the first competition, called the Olympic Cybersports Games (Olympic Esports), which attracted a huge number of participants and spectators.
According to the Olympic principles, the games should represent sports disciplines and not carry any violence. Thus, the following games were competed in Singapore:
- WBSC eBaseball: Power Pros - baseball;
- Chess.com - chess;
- Zwift - road cycling;
- Just Dance - dancing;
- Gran Turismo 7 - racing;
- Virtual Regatta - sailing;
- Virtual Taekwondo - taekwondo;
- Tennis Clash - tennis;
- Archery (Tic Tac Bow).
Source: Olympics.com
