The International Olympic Committee has approved the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, or OEG.
On Tuesday, the committee voted unanimously for the formation of the OEG in what it described as a “historic vote.”
The inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 are slated to take place next year in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In a press release, IOC President Thomas Bach praised the decision as a “new era” for the committee.
“With the confirmation by the IOC Session of the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, we are keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution,” he said.
Esports are video games that are played in an organized and competitive environment such as a tournament or local event. They can be played at a professional or amateur level.
“The esports community, represented in our Esports Commission, has enthusiastically engaged with this initiative,” Bach continued. “This is further proof of the attractivity of the Olympic brand and the values it stands for among young people.”
The IOC has not yet announced which games will be featured in the competition.
Esports within the Olympics has been a controversial topic for years, so naturally, social media users on X (formerly Twitter) had mixed reactions to the news.
This is massive for the industry. Hopefully this brings more money into esports
— Hazey (@hazeykthx) July 23, 2024
“The IOC have unanimously voted for the Olympic Esports Games”
So people are going to win Olympic gold medals for gaming? I’m ok with this, but please don’t call them “athletes” gamers are not athletes.
Yes I know I’m gatekeeping…
— Kevin (@theeKMc) July 23, 2024
Alban Dechelotte, the CEO of the leading esports brand G2 Esports, told BBC News last week that Saudi officials have confirmed the competition will be open to all gamers regardless of gender or sexuality.
Homosexuality is currently illegal in the Middle Eastern country, and critics have accused the kingdom of “sportswashing” to distract from its record of human rights abuses.
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