The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed the debut of the Olympic Esports Games, set to launch in 2025 in Saudi Arabia, during its 142nd Session in Paris.
\"This is truly a new era for the IOC,\" stated IOC President Thomas Bach. \"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.\"
Bach elaborated on the potential inclusion of esports in future Summer Olympics, highlighting discussions that have been ongoing for years. \"The physical demands for virtual and traditional cycling are more or less the same,\" he noted, referencing Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) President David Lappartient.
On July 12, the IOC announced its partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Games, a decision supported unanimously by the IOC Executive Board.
\"The esports community, represented in our Esports Commission, has enthusiastically engaged with this initiative,\" Bach added. \"This is further proof of the attractivity of the Olympic Brand and the values it stands for among young people.\"
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, emphasized the initiative's significance. \"Our commitment to esports is simply a reflection of the world our young people live in. We now all have the chance to write new Olympic history together,\" he said.
Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, IOC member and board member of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, highlighted Saudi Arabia's transformative journey in sports. \"With over 23.5 million gamers, many of whom are women, hosting the Olympic Esports Games in 2025 is a natural progression in our journey to open up Saudi Arabia to the world and the world to Saudi Arabia,\" she remarked.
Saudi Arabia has rapidly emerged as an esports hub, hosting numerous international tournaments with significant global participation and viewership in recent years.
The IOC plans to begin immediate preparations for the Games, focusing on city and venue selection, game titles, and participant qualification processes. A dedicated structure, distinct from the traditional Olympic Model, will be established to cater to the unique nature of esports.
\"It is clearly a milestone because we are entering a new ground, but we are entering this new ground on a very firm base,\" Bach concluded regarding the Olympic Esports Games.
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IOC confirms 2025 debut for Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia
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