First Olympic Esports Week draws 20,000 spectators
Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore. (Image: IOC/ Lionel Ng)
TL;DR The first Olympic Esports Week was held in Singapore last month.
So what? 130 competitors in 10 mixed-gender category esports drew 20,000 spectators.
The first Olympic Esports Week made history in Singapore as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) delivered an electrifying spectacle that intertwined the physical and digital aspects of sport. With three days of thrilling live-finals action in the Olympic Esports Series and captivating exhibition matches, the event celebrated inclusivity and diversity while embracing the growing world of esports.
Collaborating with the Singaporean Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Sport Singapore, and the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), the IOC opened doors to a new era in sports, reaching out to the gaming community and advancing virtual sports within the Olympic Movement.
Natalie Tor of Team Singapore competes against compatriot Nigel Tan in the Virtual Taekwondo final match on day four. (Image: IOC/ Lionel Ng)
130 players across 10 mixed-gender category events
The pinnacle of the week-long event was the Olympic Esports Series' live finals, bringing together over 130 players from across the globe to compete in ten mixed-gender category events. The players vied for the prestigious gold, silver, and bronze Olympic Esports Series 2023 trophies while crowds in Singapore cheered on and millions more watched the intense action unfold through online streams.
In the spirit of inclusivity, athletes from Ukraine and those holding Russian passports participated side by side, as per the IOC's recommendations on Individual Neutral Athletes, ensuring peaceful competition despite geopolitical tensions.
Laura Inez Papp competes in the duathalon. (Image: IOC/ Lionel Ng)
The Olympic Virtual Series' evolution
The Olympic Esports Series 2023 commenced in March, attracting both professional and amateur players worldwide to partake in the second edition of the virtual sports competition. Expanding on the success of the Olympic Virtual Series in 2021, the current series featured double the number of events, with over half a million players battling through qualification rounds, striving for a spot in the live finals.Beyond the highly-competitive Olympic Esports Series, spectators were treated to exhibition matches, witnessing the mastery of some of the world's top esports players and teams. Champions emerged in games like Rocket League, Duathlon, Virtual Table Tennis, and Street Fighter leaving fans awe-struck by their skills.
Team Fuego during the cycling on day two of the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore. (Image: IOC/ Lionel Ng)
Sparking discussions about diversity, inclusion, and combating online bullying
At the heart of the event was a strong commitment to engaging the community, as the first Olympic Esports Week warmly welcomed 20,000 spectators of all ages and backgrounds. This diverse audience had the unique opportunity to explore a specially designed interactive free-to-play zone, introducing newcomers and enthusiasts alike to sports like rowing, golf, and basketball in a thrilling blend of physical and digital experiences.
The event aimed to spark discussions and foster connections within the sports and esports communities. The Olympic Esports Week Forum brought industry experts together to exchange insights on critical topics such as player welfare, diversity, inclusion, and combating online bullying.
Angel "YASHEAT_Loyrot" Inostroza of Team Chile competes in the Gran Turismo qualifying rounds. (Image: IOC/ Lionel Ng)
“We have built bridges between the physical and the virtual worlds of sport.”
Speaking at the Closing Ceremony, IOC Vice-President Ser Miang Ng conveyed his enthusiasm and reflected on the significance of the event: "The inaugural Olympic Esports Week here in Singapore has been a historic milestone, a celebration of the best of virtual sport and esports. We have built bridges between the physical and the virtual worlds of sport. We have seen the sports and esports communities meet and share ideas. Together, we have discussed opportunities and challenges."
He added, "The first Olympic Esports Week was a remarkable celebration of inclusivity and diversity. New friendships have been formed, and old friends have been reunited. We hope these bonds continue to grow. While celebrating these successes, we will build on this new momentum to move forward."
Lou Bates of Great Britain, Marlene Bjärehed of Sweden, James Barnes of South Africa and Martin Maertens of Germany from Team Fuego pose with their gold trophies after finishing in first place in cycling (Image: IOC/Lionel Ng)
The Olympic Esports Week received unwavering support from Worldwide Olympic Partners, including Alibaba and Samsung, as it aligns with the IOC's commitment to foster the development of virtual sports and gaming, in line with Olympic Agenda 2020+5.Enthusiasts worldwide can relive the exhilarating moments from the Olympic Esports Week by visiting Olympics.com