International Olympic Committee Unanimously Endorses Esports Olympic Games Proposal

The International Olympic Committee isn't a total neophyte when it comes to the digital world of esports. They've been experimenting with them since 2018 and even held an "Olympic Esports Week" in Singapore last year.

Things are about to get a little more "Olympic Official" if there is such a thing. Having endorsed a proposal to create an actual Olympic Esports Games today in the 142nd IOC Session, it's been decided that Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural games in 2025.

“This is truly a new era for the IOC. With the confirmation by the IOC Session of the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, we are keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution. The esports community, represented in our Esports Commission, has enthusiastically engaged with this initiative. This is further proof of the attractivity of the Olympic brand and the values it stands for among young people," said IOC President Thomas Bach.

The partnership with Saudi Arabia's NOC (National Olympic Committee) is likely to draw criticism due to the country's violations of human rights, denial of rights to women and LGBTQ+ community members, and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi (and other critics of the country) in 2021.

For its part, the IOC points towards the growth of sports in Saudi Arabia and their hosting of multiple esports competitions including the Esports World Cup, which saw Saudi Arabia has hosted over 1,700 elite players from over 80 countries, as the main reasons for the country's selection.

There's still quite a bit to work out before the first games, though. The IOC says that while the work to select a host city has already started, other details like the timing of the games, what games will be included, and how players can qualify are all announcements that will come at a later date.