International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has used his speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 141st IOC Session in the Indian city of Mumbai to announce plans to launch an Olympic Esports Games.
Explaining his desire to increase the prominence of esports within the Olympic Movement, President Bach advised that he wants the recently-established Esports Commission led by International Cycling Union and French National Olympic and Sports Committee President David Lappartient to explore the creation of an "Olympic Esports Games".
Following the first Olympic Esports Week in Singapore earlier this year, President Bach advised “this was a promising start, but it is just that - a start.
"It is like in any sport - after the promising start, the real race still lies ahead.
"To compete successfully in this race, I have asked our new IOC Esports Commission to study the creation of the Olympic Esports Games."
The IOC has hailed its Olympic Esports Week as a success, pointing to 500,000 unique participants in the wider Olympic Esports Series, more than six million views on live channels and the attendance of more than 130 participants across 10 events in Singapore.
It followed on from the online-only Olympic Virtual Series launched in 2021.
Explaining the rationale behind the Olympic-movement’s expansion, President Bach noted “there are three billion people playing esports and gaming around the world.
"It is estimated that over 500 million of them are interested specifically in esports, which includes virtual sports and sport simulations.
"What is even more relevant to us: a majority of them are under the age of 34.
"This is why we took the strategic decision to engage with esports in a holistic way.
"We chose an approach that would allow us to be active in the esports space while staying true to our values that have guided us for over a century.
"With respect to esports, our values are and remain the red line that we will not cross.
"Our crystal clear position is gaining more and more respect in the esports community."
President Bach had earlier addressed opportunities and challenges provided by AI, including revealing that part of his speech was generated using the technology when he discussed the future of the Olympic Games as a "compelling fusion of tradition and progress".
He noted "our continued success depends on how we embrace the ever accelerating development of digital technology and in particular AI.
"This makes our Olympic Agenda 2020 imperative 'change or be changed' even more urgent."
President Bach outlined areas in which AI could "revolutionise" sport, including creating individualised training plans for athletes, refereeing and judging, organising the Olympic Games, broadcasting and spectator experience.
He added “if we are starting this discussion now, we can still contribute to shape this AI future for sport.
"As we did with Olympic Agenda, we can change before we are being changed.
"If we do not address this issue now, then the purely technological and commercial interests will come over us like a tsunami.
"To seize this opportunity it needs a change in mindset."
AI Working Group
The IOC has created a new AI Working Group to examine opportunities and risks for the Olympic Movement, with some early signs of its impact may be seen at Paris 2024.
President Bach reiterated his belief in Paris 2024 as a "Games of a new era" with gender parity in terms of athlete quota places, mass participation events such as the marathon for 40,000 runners, more urban venues and sports and the use of iconic landmarks, and an unprecedented Opening Ceremony watched by 500,000 spectators along the River Seine.
The IOC and Peace
During his speech, President Bach also noted that world leaders are "longing for our unifying force in this highly divided and confrontational world".
He referenced the recent G20 Leaders’ Declaration in which they stated their desire to “look forward to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 as a symbol of peace, dialogue amongst nations and inclusivity, with participation of all.”
The IOC Session begins today and continues until Tuesday (17th October).
Main items on the agenda include the confirmation of the program for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and the election of eight new IOC members.
Images: IOC President Thomas Bach (left) was joined on stage by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 141st IOC Session in the Indian city of Mumbai (top) and promotion for Singapore's Olympic Esports Week (below). Credit: IOC.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia and New Zealand’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry. Having established the magazine in 1997, shortly after his relocation to Australia, he has managed its readership rising to over 11,500 and its acceptance as the industry journal for professionals in aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
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