Will cybersport be an Olympic sport?
Author: Hawk Live LLC
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The International Olympic Committee has for years raised the issue of the need to bring sporting competitions closer to the younger generation. But in order to do so, they will have to update the list of disciplines. Thus, skateboarding and surfing were added to the Olympic programme in 2016.
But with video games, things are much more complicated. The popularity of cybersport and the gaming industry in general is growing by the day. But representatives of the IOC, explain their reluctance to add cybersport to the Olympic programme, because of the brutality and violence of the games:
We cannot have in the Olympic programme a game which is promoting violence or discrimination. So-called killer games. They, from our point of view, are contradictory to the Olympic values and cannot therefore be accepted. Of course every combat sport has its origins in a real fight among people, but sport is the civilized expression about this. If you have egames where it's about killing somebody, this cannot be brought into line with our Olympic values.
Despite this statement, the IOC is still very interested in video games. But can cybersport become an Olympic sport?
Olympics Virtual Series
In 2019, the IOC are seriously interested in video games, and more specifically virtual reality based games. The Olympic Games in 2020 began with a very interesting show. The Olympics Virtual Series was the first digital experience at the Olympic Games. Players competed in virtual hybrid sports that included disciplines such as racing, sailing, rowing, cycling and baseball.
Thomas Bach, the IOC president, commented:
The Olympic Virtual Series is a new, unique Olympic digital experience that aims to grow direct engagement with new audiences in the field of virtual sports. Its conception is in line with Olympic Agenda 2020+5 and the IOC’s Digital Strategy. It encourages sports participation and promotes the Olympic values, with a special focus on youth.
The Olympic Virtual Series served as a bridge between sports simulation games and traditional sports, and the event itself gave gamers the opportunity to become part of the Olympic movement.
Inclusion of cybersport in the Olympic Games
It would seem that the Olympic Virtual Series should have definitively affirmed the importance and immense popularity of cybersport. But the IOC has a number of requirements that cybersport must meet in order to be recognised:
- The existence of an International Sports Federation that is recognised by the IOC. This already exists - the International Cyber Sport Federation was founded in 2008.
- The sport must be played by men in 75 different countries on four continents and/or women in 40 countries on three continents. Cybersport involves men and women from 150 countries on six continents.
But due to the enormous competition, it was decided that fulfilling the above requirements was not enough to give the sport Olympic status. Because of the IOC's struggle to limit the over-expansion of the modern Olympic programme, additional requirements were adopted:
- Spectacle, reach of the television audience, popularity among young people, commercial viability, etc.
Technically, cyber sport is well within these requirements, but ultimately it is up to the IOC to decide whether it will be recognised.
Olympic Council of Asia
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), one of the five continental associations of national Olympic committees recognised by the International Olympic Committee, has announced that it will host cybersports events at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The OCA has announced the list of eSports games that have been selected:
- Dota 2
- League of Legends
- Street Fighter V
- Arena of Valor (Asian Games Version)
- Dream Three Kingdoms 2
- EA SPORTS FIFA branded soccer games
- HearthStone
- PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version)
Hussain Al-Musallam, CEO of OCA commented:
I believe we have made all the necessary arrangements, ensuring a high level of competition that promises a great spectacle for enthusiasts and amateurs alike
The OCA, for its part, has appointed the Asian eSports Federation, the technical delegate for the cybersport events at the Asian Games 2022. It will be responsible for the qualifications, operation and management of the competition. As a result, this means that these competitions will bring cybersport one step closer to being recognized by the IOC.
When will cybersport become an Olympic sport?
Cybersport is undoubtedly a sport that most young people watch. And the first appearance of VR gaming at the Olympics, and the hosting of cybersport events at the 2022 Asian Games will certainly answer the question, "when will cybersport become an Olympic sport?" For the Olympics to remain attractive to young people, remain relevant and competitive, it will still need to include cybersport.
Dmitry Smith, president of the Russian Federation of Computer Sports, is confident that the procedure for including cybersports in the Olympic Games could take about five to seven years. Cyber sport itself is already being taken much more seriously than at the time of its emergence. Since 2016, various countries have decided to introduce cybersport as a subject of study, which once again proves its value, among the younger generation.
