Olympic Esports Games Planned by International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee has unveiled plans to establish the Olympic Esports Games, marking a significant step forward in the world of competitive gaming. During the 141st IOC session in Mumbai, India, IOC president Thomas Bach announced that the newly formed IOC Esports Commission will conduct a thorough study on the creation of such an event. Bach emphasized that the organization's core values will remain a top priority, stating, "Our values are non-negotiable, and we will not compromise on them, even as we explore the world of esports." This development comes on the heels of the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in Singapore, which drew a crowd of 20,000 attendees, as reported by The Straits Times. The event followed a virtual edition in 2021 that attracted a staggering 250,000 players. Bach reflected on the success of the Olympic Esports Week, saying, "In Singapore, we witnessed the effectiveness of our comprehensive approach, as we successfully bridged the gap between the Olympic and esports communities." He added, "While this is a promising beginning, it is only the starting point. Just like in any sport, a strong start is just the first step, and the real challenge lies ahead." Esports also made a notable appearance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, although it was surprisingly omitted from the 2026 edition, with no official reason provided for the decision.