The first-ever Olympic Esports Games are coming in 2025, and of course they're being held in Saudi Arabia
A year after putting on an Olympic esports event that didn't include any actual esports games, the International Olympic Committee has joined up with the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia to do it for real in the first-ever Olympic Esports Games, set to be held in 2025.
The Olympic Esports deal between the IOC and Saudi Arabia is set to run for 12 years, with events held «regularly» over the duration.
«We are very fortunate to be able to work with the Saudi NOC on the Olympic Esports Games, because it has great —if not unique—expertise in the field of esports with all its stakeholders,» IOC president Thomas Bach said in the announcement (via Insider Gaming). «The Olympic Esports Games will greatly benefit from this experience.
»By partnering with the Saudi NOC we have also ensured that the Olympic values are respected, in particular, with regard to the game titles on the programme, the promotion of gender equality and engagement with the young audience, which is embracing esports."
That's pretty rich given that Saudi Arabia recently sentenced women's rights activist Manahel al-Otaibi to 11 years in prison for crimes like calling for an end to the country's oppressive guardianship law and «going to the shops without wearing an abaya.»
But never mind that: Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Saudi Arabia's minister of sport and president of its Olympic committee, said the deal represents «a new chapter in Olympic history that has the potential to inspire new dreams and new ambitions for literally millions of athletes around the world.»
«As a ‘first’ ever Esports Olympic Games, obviously there is still much to consider and plan with the IOC, but we are committed to hosting a special event that respects and celebrates the Olympic values while boldly seizing the momentum to drive esports forward with the international platform the sport and its athletes deserve,» Al Faisal said.
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