History was made today as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, with the inaugural event set for 2025 in Saudi Arabia. This decision was unanimously endorsed at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris. The IOC has partnered with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia for a 12-year collaboration to organize these Games.
IOC President Thomas Bach highlighted the significance of this development, stating, "With the confirmation by the IOC Session of the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, we are keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution." The IOC has been engaging with esports since 2018, culminating in the successful Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in 2023.
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, praised the initiative, citing Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 as a driving force behind the Kingdom's commitment to esports. He emphasized that the nation's investment in esports reflects the interests of its young population and aims to inspire new dreams and ambitions for athletes worldwide.
HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud noted the transformative impact of Vision 2030 on Saudi society, particularly in empowering women and youth. With over 23.5 million gamers in the country, nearly half of whom are female, hosting the Olympic Esports Games in 2025 is seen as a natural progression.
Work will begin immediately on selecting a city and venue for the event, as well as determining game titles, qualification processes, and further details. The IOC will also establish a dedicated structure for the Olympic Esports Games, distinct from the traditional Olympic Games.
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Photo: Getty