Olympic Games Expand: Esports Set for Historic Debut in Saudi Arabia

The International Olympic Committee IOC took a significant step forward in embracing the digital age by voting on July 23, 2024 to orse the creation of the Olympic Esports Games as an addition to both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Saudi Arabia will serve as the host nation for this pioneering event set for next year.

In preparation, the IOC has been experimenting with esports events over the past few years, notably in Singapore and Mumb in 2023. The specifics of which esports games will be included remn unclear but the enthusiasm within the esports community is palpable many are eager to take part in this historic Olympic debut.

As HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Fsal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, states: The upcoming Esports Olympic Games will represent a unique opportunity that respects and celebrates Olympic values while harnessing the momentum to propel esports forward on an international stage befitting their sport's stature.

I am thrilled, shares Skyler Ludlow, co-host of Dly Universe's Knights of the D-Pad podcast. For years, video games have often been misperceived or not taken seriously by many. This marks a major milestone in elevating awareness and validation for gamers worldwide, recognizing that gaming is more than just entertnment; it's a legitimate pursuit that can be both competitive and captivating much like traditional sports.

Moreover, Ludlow expresses excitement at the prospect of seeing nations compete as teams: A lot of top esports players now hl from international rosters, making it fascinating to watch the best talents from different countries face off agnst each other. It will be intriguing to see which national team excels in which games.

dan Fort, another contributor to the Knights of the D-Pad podcast, voices cautious optimism on this groundbreaking development.

I'm delighted that esports has been integrated into the Olympic circuit with its own Games, Fort says. It's an exciting prospect for showcasing esports on a world stage akin to how other sports operate through their usual Olympics events. However, concerns linger over how effectively these events will be handled and executed.

Fort rses valid points about the selection of games which could potentially impact participation. He argues that well-established titles such as League of Legs, Counter-Strike, fighting games like Street Fighter or Tekken, Overwatch, Valorant, among others might not align with Olympic values due to their often intense competitive nature.

The current reputation of Saudi Arabia in rights issues may also influence fans' sentiments, Fort adds. Esports being involved could be interpreted as a form of 'sportswashing' - the use of sports activities to improve one's public image or distract from negative aspects.

These concerns, along with the selection process for games and potential execution issues that have emerged in past attempts by the Olympics, like the 2021 Virtual Olympic Series in Japan and the 2023 Esports Week held in Singapore, are cause for a nuanced view on the new Olympic Esports Games.

Overall, while this is an unprecedented chapter in the history of both esports and the Olympics, it remns to be seen how this integration will unfold amidst these considerations.
This article is reproduced from: https://universe.byu.edu/2024/07/26/new-esports-olympic-games-in-saudi-arabia-2025-byu-students-weigh-in/

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