The first-ever Olympic Esports Week is scheduled for June 22-25, 2023, in Singapore. This groundbreaking event marks the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) official entry into competitive gaming, though it's important to note that this isn't part of the traditional Olympic Games.

For the 2024 Paris Olympics, esports won't be included as a medal event. However, the Olympic Partner (TOP) has announced the Olympic Esports Series 2023, which serves as a qualifying event for the Singapore games.

What's particularly interesting is that these inaugural esports events will focus on virtual versions of traditional sports, including:

- Archery (Tic Tac Bow)
- Baseball (WBSC eBaseball™: POWER PROS)
- Chess (Chess.com)
- Cycling (Zwift)
- Dance (Just Dance)
- Motor Sport (Gran Turismo)
- Sailing (Virtual Regatta)
- Tennis (Tennis Clash)
- Taekwondo (Virtual Taekwondo)

Looking ahead, while there's no confirmed date for esports becoming an official Olympic medal event, the IOC is actively exploring its integration into future Games. The success of the 2023 Olympic Esports Week will likely influence these decisions.

I expect future Olympic esports events to expand beyond virtual versions of traditional sports. Popular competitive games like League of Legends or DOTA 2 could potentially be included, though this hasn't been officially confirmed by the IOC.

For those interested in participating or watching, the Olympic Esports Series qualifiers are typically held online, with finals taking place at physical venues. The best way to stay updated is through the official Olympic website or your national Olympic committee's communications.

Remember that while this isn't yet part of the main Olympic Games, it represents a significant step toward legitimizing esports in the traditional sporting world. The 2023 event in Singapore will serve as a crucial test case for future Olympic esports integration.

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