eSports is the real-time, multiplayer competition involving a host of electronic games. It has quickly attracted about 250 million players worldwide. The number of players is much more than what several traditional Olympic sports federations have managed together so far. The worth of the eSports market is estimated to be about a billion dollars a year.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognised eSports as a competitive sports activity in November, paving the way for its inclusion in Olympics and other international sporting events.
eSports will feature as a demonstration sport in this year’s Jakarta Asian games and will become a proper medal event at the 2022 Asian Games Hangzhou, China.
“It won’t be possible to be an official discipline but to be a demonstration title within the Paris Olympics. The local Olympic organizing committee and the city are supporting this movement, so this will be a stronger message towards the IOC that esports could be included as a demonstration title in 2024,” said Chung.
“Paris would one day like to become an eSports hub for Europe. There are great engagement numbers, great fan numbers who live in France and especially in Paris, who would definitely want to come to an eSports game,” added Chung.
The IOC is fully aware of eSports’ rapid growth and its popularity among young people, making it an attractive proposition to refresh its own ageing audience and make the Games relevant to a new generation.
IOC President Thomas Bach acknowledged the popularity of eSports among young people this month but was wary of its often violent or discriminatory content.
Source: GMB / Reuters
