IOC presents proposal for Esports Olympic Games by 2026

The International Olympic Committee seeks to attract and retain young audiences through a new series of sports. This summer, during the Paris Summer Games, the IOC is preparing to vote on a proposal to create the “Esports Olympic Games”.

What was once considered a distraction is now receiving new appreciation within the Olympics.

“There are tons of already huge video game competitions that are seen around the world,” said video gamer Austin Manengu. “So putting it in a place like the Olympics would make it a win (and) make it known to a lot more people. And I think it finally has its place in the Olympic Games.

Much like traditional sports, the competitive world of video gaming has its own leagues, competitions and its share of famous athletes and fans, now considered esports.

“The more esports there are, the more people want to go further, professionalize themselves to be in esports, just like you want to be a basketball player and you want to be a pro,” the video gamer said CJ Louey. “(It’s the same thing here. And I think it’s great.

Although esports does not always enjoy the same level of recognition as traditional sports, it represents a sector that has grown significantly over the past 10 years, attracting millions of viewers and valued as a billion market. of dollars. This popularity has allowed organizations like the Rochester YMCA to develop its own youth gaming lab in partnership with Metro Sports.

“Only 50% of kids play sports today,” said Shaon Berry, CEO and founder of Metro Sports. “That still leaves 50% of the community to be served. And a lot of the community that falls in love with gaming, that falls back into gaming, is often made up of marginalized kids, kids who have depression, kids who have anxiety, kids who don’t. They just don’t have a friendship or it’s not cool or whatever the reasons. Often, play is a safe space for this.

Studies show that video games are an interactive medium that creates a unique learning opportunity, giving players a set of skills that improve cognitive functions, problem solving, decision making, multitasking, reaction times , hand-eye coordination and memory.

“Not everyone is born 6’5” and 250 pounds,” Berry said. “So the NFL is not in everyone’s future, even if they love playing the game. There’s always been parents saying that video games are a waste of time and that just playing sitting and playing randomly for nothing could be. But if you are interested in how to make the game, design it, create it and do more than what you see, pursue that because there is a real career behind it.

This gives the next generation more power to play for what could be the next esports athlete.

“Kids who don’t have an outlet in sports, they’re not good at sports and they don’t feel like they have a place where they can play in esports and learn all these good things about teamwork and working together,” Louey said. .