The IOC announces the creation of the “Esports Olympic Games”, the world of gaming is eating away at its market share

Le CIO officialisera l’annonce les 23 et 24 juillet à Paris. MAXPPP – CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF

The IOC assures that this event will not be linked to the traditional Olympics. But esports is now establishing itself as a growing phenomenon.

The International Olympic Committee will launch the "esports Olympic Games", distinct from the traditional Olympic Games, according to a periodicity and contours that are still mysterious, its president Thomas announced on Friday Bach.

During its third and final day of meeting in Lausanne, the executive of the Olympic body decided to "propose"this new competition at the 142nd session, which will be decided between July 23 and 24 in Paris, the German leader told the press.

"We are speaking with a potential host. The discussions are progressing well, we have the impression that it is promising, and if all goes well we will be able to make an announcement very soon", promised Thomas Bach.

Also read: eSport: money, structures, professionalization, the very fast-growing sector foreshadows the sporting world of tomorrow

Between Olympic tradition and renewal of the audience

The IOC, in perpetual search of conciliation between Olympic tradition and renewal of its audience, had already organized in Singapore a first "Olympic esports week" in June  2023 and created an "esport commission" chaired by Frenchman David Lappartient and responsible since October 2023 for thinking about a dedicated competition.

I don't think you'll see an esports event at the Olympics, but you might see an esports Games very soon

On the question of mixing esports and classic events, Thomas Bach's conviction had been fixed for several months: "I don't think you will see any ;rsquo;esport event at the Olympic Games, but you may see esports Games very soon", he explained at the end of April.< /p>

On Friday, he confirmed that future dedicated Games would be organized "as part of an entirely new specialized structure within the IOC, clearly separated from the organizational and financial model of the Olympic Games". He nevertheless clarified that the international federations "already engaged in an electronic version of their sport", as well as the national Olympic committees< em> "who include esports in their activities" could be associated with this organization.