Esports at the Olympics? Not So Fast, Says IOC Chief
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After throwing cold water on speculation that competitive video-game playing could become an Olympic sport, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is drawing a sharp rebuke from esports enthusiasts.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Bach suggested esports does not meet the standards of the Olympics. “We want to promote non-discrimination, non-violence and peace among people. This doesn’t match with video games, which are about violence, explosions and killing. And there we have to draw a clear line,” he said.
Still, he did not entirely rule out inclusion of competitive video-game playing, telling the publication that esports that mirror traditional sports, like soccer or basketball, could be considered. But that rubbed esports supporters the wrong way. Many are venting on social media. Tobias Sherman, who until recently was the global head of esports at talent agency powerhouse WME-IMG, accused Bach of hypocrisy, pointing to one Olympic sport, boxing, that is pretty violent itself.
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