As the second final weekend of the Esports World Cup is approaching huge news are out today. International Olympic Committee – IOC partners with Saudi NOC to host inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025! This groundbreaking event will feature a diverse range of game titles and promote the sport further. Saudi Arabia, a major player in esports, is committed to celebrating the Olympic values while showcasing the future of competitive gaming. National teams and pride are still underdeveloped in Esports but I am certain this will change over time! This is a big step for he sport, not so much for the short term impact but the long-term prospect. More to come and the full press release in the comments including quotes from Thomas Bach and HRH Prince Abdulaziz Minister of Sport in Saudi. Welcome to the Olympic Esports Games, what a time to be alive 😎 #Esports #Olympics #SaudiArabia
Olympic values you say? Which value is it where women and other minorities are treated as second-class citizens? Manahel al-Otaibi is one of many who continues to pay the price for this sportswashing by the House of Saud. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68934913
Whilst it is fantastic to see the esports world receive such recognition from the International Olympic Committee – IOC to warrant its own event, many people will have questions over why it will be hosted in Saudi Arabia, given their very questionable record on human rights and activity in sportswashing. They can say that their country is open to women, LGBTQ+ people, migrants and the like, but very few people will actually believe that given gay people risk being imprisoned or worse, and trans people risk the death penalty for walking into the 'wrong' room. The target audience for any esports competition is young people, who are much more likely to support social equality, so it's pretty easy to see the disconnect. Young people are also much more likely to identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Whilst many people who are under the LGBTQ+ umbrella would love to be a part of an Olympic Esports Series event as a competitor or event staff (including myself), no amount of money could persuade me to risk the penalties should something go wrong. Sportswashing is a terrible practice, but the sporting world is very reluctant to push back on it through fear of losing substantial backing.
Truly terrifying sportswashing. No need to say anything else on this matter
Absolutely thrilling news! The partnership between the IOC and Saudi NOC to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025 is a monumental step forward for the esports community. This event promises to not only showcase the future of competitive gaming but also uphold and celebrate the Olympic values. It's exciting to see such commitment to the long-term development of national teams and pride in esports. Looking forward to seeing how this unfolds and shapes the future of the sport.
That’s huge. As we work on Olympics in Paris right now it will be great to see how esports Olympics could look. And even greater to maybe be part of it and support.
This is incredible! I remember playing Starcraft 2 and people debating whether esports should be in the Olympics, and now it's finally happening.
Great
That’s incredible 🇸🇦❤️ Saudi Arabia is the new Home of All Sports. Thank you Ralf and team for incredible EWC. I’m sure coming years will be even better. 👏
What a great time to be alive @
CEO of Esports World Cup Foundation
1mohttps://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-announces-olympic-esports-games-to-be-hosted-in-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia