Are Esports Going to Be in the Olympics? Latest Updates and Status
Esports are not currently part of the Olympic Games, but there's significant movement toward their inclusion in future Olympics. While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has shown increasing interest in competitive gaming, they haven't yet fully embraced esports as an Olympic sport.
In 2021, the IOC made a notable step by launching the Olympic Virtual Series, which featured five virtual sports including auto racing, baseball, cycling, rowing, and sailing. However, these were digital versions of traditional sports rather than typical esports games like League of Legends or Counter-Strike.
The biggest challenge for esports' Olympic inclusion is that most popular competitive games are owned by private companies. The IOC has expressed concerns about commercial ownership and the violent nature of some games. They prefer sports that align with Olympic values and don't involve explicit violence.
Singapore's 2023 Southeast Asian Games included esports as a medal event, demonstrating how competitive gaming can work in a major international sporting event. This success has encouraged further discussions about Olympic inclusion.
Key developments for esports in Olympic consideration:
2017: IOC first recognizes esports as a sporting activity 2018: Demonstration event at Asian Games 2021: Launch of Olympic Virtual Series 2022: IOC announces Olympic Esports Week 2023: Olympic Esports Series in Singapore
The 2024 Paris Olympics won't include esports, but the 2028 Los Angeles Games might be different. The LA organizing committee has shown interest in including esports, though no official decision has been made.
For esports to join the Olympics, they need to meet several criteria:
International federation governance Compliance with Olympic values Global participation Anti-doping regulations Physical component
While full Olympic inclusion might take time, the IOC's increasing engagement with virtual sports suggests a positive direction. The growing popularity and professionalization of esports make their eventual inclusion seem likely, though perhaps not in their current form.
I expect we'll see more Olympic-sanctioned virtual events before any traditional esports make it to the main Olympic program. The path to inclusion is progressing, but it's a gradual process that requires careful consideration of both traditional Olympic values and modern competitive gaming culture.
For now, esports remain separate from the Olympics, but they're definitely on the IOC's radar. The future relationship between esports and the Olympics will likely continue to evolve as both entities adapt to changing times and technologies.