• TL;DR: The IOC are exploring the creation of an Olympic Esports Games, recognising the growing significance of esports in engaging a younger generation (that’s us, hotties.)

• So what? Soon there could be a Summer Olympics, a Winter Olympics, and a straight up Elympics (ok, we’ll stop.)

At the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Mumbai, India, IOC President Thomas Bach revealed plans to explore the creation of Olympic Esports Games. The announcement was made in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and followed the first Olympic Esports Week held in Singapore earlier in this year.

Approximately three billion people engage in esports and gaming worldwide, over 500 million of which are specifically interested in esports, including virtual sports like football or motorsports, and sport simulations such as cycling. A majority of esports enthusiasts are under the age of 34, emphasizing the need for the Olympic movement to adapt to evolving interests of Millennials and Gen Z’s.

Why create an Olympic Esports Games?

During the announcement, Bach recalled a key principle of the Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms—that sport needs to go where the people are. “This is true for both worlds – the real and the digital one. Today sport has to compete for the time and attention of young people. Therefore, we have to reach out to the youth where they are in this digital world. This is not just a technological imperative. This is also a demographic imperative.”

When did the Olympics start exploring esports

The IOC have been actively engaging with the esports community since 2018. The organisation's approach to esports led to the creation of the Esports Forum in 2018, the establishment of an Esports Liaison Group, and the launch of the Olympic Virtual Series in 2021. “Building on the learnings from this Olympic Virtual Series, we then launched the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore earlier this year,” said Bach. “In Singapore, we saw proof that our holistic approach is working. We successfully brought together the Olympic and the esports communities.”

A highlight of the Olympic Esports Week was the live finals, conducted in collaboration with International Sports Federations (IFs) and publishers. Over 130 players from various regions participated in ten mixed-gender category events, with fans packing the Singapore stadium and millions watching online. The Olympic Esports Series, including qualifiers, drew over 500,000 participants and generated more than 6 million live action views across channels, with 75 percent of viewers falling in the 13 to 34 age bracket.

How gaming and esports can align to Olympic values

The IOC have worked with esports and gaming publishers to ensure all esports competed in at an Olympic level align to the Olympics’ values. Our crystal-clear position is gaining more and more respect also in the esports community. “One of the leading publishers even adapted their popular game to conform fully with our Olympic values – so that players shot at targets, not at people,” Bach emphasised.

The role of AI in the Olympics

Bach also touched on the importance of embracing digital technology and artificial intelligence in the Olympic Movement, stressing the need to empower the younger generation and harness their digital mindset to ensure the future success of the Olympic Games. The IOC has initiated efforts to analyze the opportunities and risks of AI, with the goal of implementing changes in the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Sports, including esports, must adapt to reach people where they are—both in the real and digital worlds. This approach aligns with the principles of Olympic Agenda 2020 and Olympic Agenda 2020+5, ensuring that the Olympic Games remain relevant and inclusive. The IOC's commitment to exploring the creation of Olympic Esports Games signifies a bold move towards embracing digital innovations, engaging the younger generation, and shaping the future of the Olympic movement.