June 22, (THEWILL) – The first-ever Olympic eSports Week took off in Singapore on Thursday, featuring a mesmerising spectacle where athletes appeared to be teleported on stage, accompanied by a larger-than-life projection of IOC President, Thomas Bach.
The International Olympic Committee recognised eSports as a competitive feature in 2017 and has engaged in discussions with industry players for inclusion in the prestigious event. Although eSports will be a medal sport at the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, an IOC official clarified that there are currently no plans to include video games in the Olympic programme.
With a spectacular musical show, the event’s launch captivated the audience as performers seemed to seamlessly transition between real and virtual landscapes. Each sport was showcased through imagery projected on the backdrop, while players emerged on stage as if transported through a teleportation machine. For the participating athletes in Singapore, this event represents an opportunity to meet their peers after years of competing in virtual events.
Competitors expressed their enthusiasm, with James Barnes, a 32-year-old cycling finalist from South Africa, stating: “It’s massive… It’s a lifetime goal achieved.” Similarly, Kaj de Bruin, an 18-year-old finalist from the Netherlands in the Gran Turismo racing event, exclaimed: “It’s really special for me because it’s the Olympics… It’s really cool to be here.”
Vincent Pereira, the IOC’s Head of Virtual Sport, described the four-day event in Singapore as the “first step” in bringing together the eSports community and the traditional sports community. More than 20,000 tickets have been issued, and 131 players from 64 countries are participating.
However, Pereira also made it clear that there are no current discussions about integrating traditional eSports and video games into the Olympic program. He suggested that “virtual active sports” like cycling or taekwondo could potentially be part of future Olympic programmes, potentially in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, but reiterated that discussions are ongoing in that direction.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
