The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made history by announcing the Olympic Esports Games, with the first event scheduled for 2025 in Saudi Arabia. This decision was unanimously approved at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris. The IOC will collaborate with the Saudi Arabian National Olympic Committee for the next 12 years to organize these games.
IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized the importance of this move, stating that it keeps pace with the digital revolution. The IOC’s engagement with esports began in 2018 and included a successful Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in 2023.
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, lauded the initiative, linking it to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to support esports and inspire athletes globally. HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud highlighted Vision 2030’s transformative impact on Saudi society, particularly for women and youth, noting that nearly half of the country’s 23.5 million gamers are female.
Efforts will commence immediately to select a city and venue, determine game titles, and set qualification processes. The IOC will also create a distinct structure for the Olympic Esports Games, separate from the traditional Olympic Games.
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