Should Esports Be Included In The Olympics?
Decades in the making, the growth of esports has never been so magnified in this era. With the arrival of the digital age coupled with the constant universal love for video games, it’s no surprise how the frequency of esports’ reach has become so massive. And if you’re wondering how far that growth has come, there’s only two words to describe it: Esports Olympics. Because esports tournaments all over the world prove to be standing on the shoulder of giants, talks of including esports in The Olympics, that greatest stage for all sports, is being considered. They just keep getting bigger and bigger each year, so why not save some space for it in the biggest global sporting event? Let’s start the discussion by asking this question instead - is esports an actual sport in the first place? Olympic Criteria For a sport to be included in the official Game Program of the Olympics, it should first meet the qualifications set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Among other points, the IOC requires for a sport to be regulated by a governing international federation that implements the mandate of the Olympic Movement. Seeing how esports’ well-established competitive avenue has led to talks of it making a debut in the Olympics, as global tournaments continue to flourish. Just last year, the IOC and the Global Association of International Sports Federations organized a forum to consider Esports Olympics and address the possibilities surrounding it. Now let’s consider the pros and cons. The Pros Global recognition Including esports in the Olympics will encourage professional esports players from other countries to join tournaments in representation of their country. Doing so would open more countries to join the event, and further expand the esports industry. Professionalizing the industry Esports Olympics would open up more opportunities for passionate gamers to become professional esports players, and further uphold the growing industry of esports. Although these tournaments have gotten big at present, international esports tournaments still feel a little underground, as being dominated by select countries only. The Cons Gender issues One important mandate of the Olympic Movement is gender equality. While the esports industry is becoming more and more diverse with the presence of prominent female gamers, it’s still evident that esports is a male-dominated activity. Such reality may be hindering efforts to qualify esports as an Olympic sport. Possible contradictions The nature of esports games and tournaments may not be in congruence to the values that the Olympics hold. While esports tournaments are systematized, competitive, and uphold sportsmanship, the idea of “killer games,” which would pertain to the gameplay of some esports games that involve violence and graphic material, are in contrast to the values upheld by the Olympic Movement. The Answer So do these considerations steer us left or right? Here’s my stance: whether or not Esports Olympics becomes a thing anytime soon, esports will still live on. Esports can still keep up as a standalone global competition anyway, put up by a sustainable industry standard and with a large following.
Should Esports Be Included In The Olympics?
Decades in the making, the growth of esports has never been so magnified in this era. With the arrival of the digital age coupled with the constant universal love for video games, it’s no surprise how the frequency of esports’ reach has become so massive. And if you’re wondering how far that growth has come, there’s only two words to describe it: Esports Olympics. Because esports tournaments all over the world prove to be standing on the shoulder of giants, talks of including esports in The Olympics, that greatest stage for all sports, is being considered. They just keep getting bigger and bigger each year, so why not save some space for it in the biggest global sporting event? Let’s start the discussion by asking this question instead - is esports an actual sport in the first place? Olympic Criteria For a sport to be included in the official Game Program of the Olympics, it should first meet the qualifications set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Among other points, the IOC requires for a sport to be regulated by a governing international federation that implements the mandate of the Olympic Movement. Seeing how esports’ well-established competitive avenue has led to talks of it making a debut in the Olympics, as global tournaments continue to flourish. Just last year, the IOC and the Global Association of International Sports Federations organized a forum to consider Esports Olympics and address the possibilities surrounding it. Now let’s consider the pros and cons. The Pros Global recognition Including esports in the Olympics will encourage professional esports players from other countries to join tournaments in representation of their country. Doing so would open more countries to join the event, and further expand the esports industry. Professionalizing the industry Esports Olympics would open up more opportunities for passionate gamers to become professional esports players, and further uphold the growing industry of esports. Although these tournaments have gotten big at present, international esports tournaments still feel a little underground, as being dominated by select countries only. The Cons Gender issues One important mandate of the Olympic Movement is gender equality. While the esports industry is becoming more and more diverse with the presence of prominent female gamers, it’s still evident that esports is a male-dominated activity. Such reality may be hindering efforts to qualify esports as an Olympic sport. Possible contradictions The nature of esports games and tournaments may not be in congruence to the values that the Olympics hold. While esports tournaments are systematized, competitive, and uphold sportsmanship, the idea of “killer games,” which would pertain to the gameplay of some esports games that involve violence and graphic material, are in contrast to the values upheld by the Olympic Movement. The Answer So do these considerations steer us left or right? Here’s my stance: whether or not Esports Olympics becomes a thing anytime soon, esports will still live on. Esports can still keep up as a standalone global competition anyway, put up by a sustainable industry standard and with a large following.
Should Esports Be Included In The Olympics?
Decades in the making, the growth of esports has never been so magnified in this era. With the arrival of the digital age coupled with the constant universal love for video games, it’s no surprise how the frequency of esports’ reach has become so massive. And if you’re wondering how far that growth has come, there’s only two words to describe it: Esports Olympics. Because esports tournaments all over the world prove to be standing on the shoulder of giants, talks of including esports in The Olympics, that greatest stage for all sports, is being considered. They just keep getting bigger and bigger each year, so why not save some space for it in the biggest global sporting event? Let’s start the discussion by asking this question instead - is esports an actual sport in the first place? Olympic Criteria For a sport to be included in the official Game Program of the Olympics, it should first meet the qualifications set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Among other points, the IOC requires for a sport to be regulated by a governing international federation that implements the mandate of the Olympic Movement. Seeing how esports’ well-established competitive avenue has led to talks of it making a debut in the Olympics, as global tournaments continue to flourish. Just last year, the IOC and the Global Association of International Sports Federations organized a forum to consider Esports Olympics and address the possibilities surrounding it. Now let’s consider the pros and cons. The Pros Global recognition Including esports in the Olympics will encourage professional esports players from other countries to join tournaments in representation of their country. Doing so would open more countries to join the event, and further expand the esports industry. Professionalizing the industry Esports Olympics would open up more opportunities for passionate gamers to become professional esports players, and further uphold the growing industry of esports. Although these tournaments have gotten big at present, international esports tournaments still feel a little underground, as being dominated by select countries only. The Cons Gender issues One important mandate of the Olympic Movement is gender equality. While the esports industry is becoming more and more diverse with the presence of prominent female gamers, it’s still evident that esports is a male-dominated activity. Such reality may be hindering efforts to qualify esports as an Olympic sport. Possible contradictions The nature of esports games and tournaments may not be in congruence to the values that the Olympics hold. While esports tournaments are systematized, competitive, and uphold sportsmanship, the idea of “killer games,” which would pertain to the gameplay of some esports games that involve violence and graphic material, are in contrast to the values upheld by the Olympic Movement. The Answer So do these considerations steer us left or right? Here’s my stance: whether or not Esports Olympics becomes a thing anytime soon, esports will still live on. Esports can still keep up as a standalone global competition anyway, put up by a sustainable industry standard and with a large following.
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