Can esports become an Olympic sport?

[lens]

Since esports exploded in popularity I have wondered whether competitive gaming will risk making it into an Olympic competition. I mean, why not? Traditional sports is with the exact requirements for skill and strategy which esports demands. People can experience extreme joy when they witness top video gamers competing at the Olympic level. What do you guys think? Is esports Olympic material?

 

[SoccerSnippet]

Esports should be seen as an official sport because the gamers also need to practice and show dedication. Playing video games at professional levels of League of Legends or Overwatch demands highly impressive skill. Since the Olympic Games celebrate top athletes worldwide, it only makes sense to include professional gamers in it too.

 

[Shuva]

Esports could potentially become an Olympic sport, especially as it grows in popularity and global recognition. Many traditional sports have evolved with time, and esports offers intense competition, skill, and a global audience.

 

[sociallover]

I don't think that eSports could be a part of Olympics until or unless eSports require a person to play a game physically. Games that are played in Olympics are quite different. They are quite different from eSports that are played using a computer.

 

[1stop]

Esports is a promising opportunity for the Olympic but they need to create proper criteria before its addition. Before esports participation can be considered for the Olympics, there must be established guidelines for what meets the criteria together with a consistent qualification system in place.

 

[Obby Longsword]

I have a hard time with this one as most of your esports professionals don't exactly emphasize the athleticism Olympians are known for. I get that anything can be a sport if it's competitive but I feel esports takes away from the spirit of the Olympics. My thoughts, probably not right.

 

[freelancermaria]

The Olympic Esports Games are finally happening. The International Olympic Committee has just announced that the inauguration of the event will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027. That is exciting, without a doubt.