Will video games be in the olympics in 2025?

The inclusion of video games, or esports, in the Olympics, has been a subject of ongoing debate. While esports has grown into a massive global industry with millions of fans and participants, it still faces several challenges to becoming part of the Olympic Games. Here’s a look at the current situation and potential future of video games in the Olympics.

Current Status of Esports in the Olympics

1. Olympic Virtual Series
   Esports made its first appearance in the Olympics with the Olympic Virtual Series (OVS) in 2021, organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This event featured virtual sports like baseball, cycling, rowing, and sailing, focusing on games that simulate traditional sports. However, this wasn’t the inclusion of popular competitive games like League of Legends, Dota 2, or Counter-Strike—it was primarily a way for the IOC to test the waters with virtual sports tied closely to physical activities.
2. Esports as a Demonstration Sport The 2022 Asian Games, initially planned to include esports as a medal event, demonstrated growing acceptance of competitive gaming in major sporting events. Though postponed due to the pandemic, the Asian Games did plan to feature competitive titles such as FIFA, League of Legends, and Street Fighter V.
3. Paris 2024 Olympic Games The Paris 2024 Olympics will not include esports as an official medal sport, but there will be related events, possibly in the form of demonstration events or cultural side activities. The IOC has expressed interest in promoting youth engagement through digital platforms, but they have yet to fully embrace esports, citing concerns about the lack of alignment between the competitive nature of many games and the Olympic values of peace and respect.

Challenges to Esports in the Olympics

1. Game Content and Violence
   One of the key challenges is that many popular esports titles, such as Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, and Overwatch, involve violence, which conflicts with the Olympic movement’s principles of promoting peace and unity through sport. This has made it difficult for the IOC to embrace the most popular and competitive video games.
2. Governing Body and Structure
   Unlike traditional sports, which are governed by international federations, esports lacks a single, unified body that can represent the industry and set universal rules. The decentralized nature of esports, with different game publishers, leagues, and tournaments, complicates matters for an organization like the IOC, which prefers to work with recognized, established governing bodies.
3. Perception of Esports as a Sport
   Despite its growing popularity, many still debate whether video gaming constitutes a “real sport.” Critics argue that esports lack the physicality traditionally associated with the Olympic Games, even though professional gamers train rigorously and require exceptional hand-eye coordination, strategy, and reflexes.

Potential Future of Esports in the Olympics

While esports might not become a medal sport in the Olympics in the immediate future, there are several ways it could integrate with the Games:

1. Virtual Sports Expansion
   The IOC might continue to promote virtual sports tied to physical activities, such as cycling, rowing, or racing simulators. As technology improves, esports based on traditional sports could bridge the gap between gaming and Olympic ideals.
2. Demonstration Events
   Esports could appear as demonstration events at future Olympic Games, allowing it to showcase its global appeal and competitive nature without becoming an official medal event. This would be an important step toward gaining wider acceptance.
3. Youth Engagement
   Esports offers the Olympics a unique opportunity to engage younger audiences who may not be as interested in traditional sports. With digital platforms like Twitch and YouTube, esports can attract millions of viewers globally, which is something the IOC could use to rejuvenate interest in the Games.

Conclusion

While video games won’t be an official part of the Olympic Games in the near term, their potential inclusion is gaining momentum. The IOC is slowly exploring ways to integrate esports, primarily through virtual sports that align more closely with Olympic values. As esports continues to grow and evolve, and as perceptions shift, we may see video games becoming a more significant part of global sporting events, including the Olympics, in the future.