The debate about introducing eSports to the Olympics has been ongoing, and opinions are divided. On one hand, eSports has gained immense popularity globally, with a huge following and significant prize pools. Including eSports in the Olympics could attract a newer, younger audience and provide a platform for gamers to compete at the highest level ¹.
On the other hand, some argue that eSports doesn't align with the traditional Olympic values and spirit. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed concerns about the violent content in some eSports games, which might not be suitable for the Olympic platform ².
Despite these concerns, the IOC has taken steps to incorporate eSports into the Olympic ecosystem. The inaugural Olympic Esports Week was held in Singapore in 2023, featuring games like Virtual Regatta, Tic Tac Bow, and Gran Turismo 7 ¹. The IOC has also announced plans to create an Olympic Esports Games, with the first edition scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2025 ³.
Ultimately, whether eSports should be introduced to the Olympics is a matter of personal opinion. However, with the IOC's efforts to explore the possibility of including eSports in the Olympic program, it's clear that the organization is open to embracing new and innovative forms of competition ⁴.