The International Olympics Committee (IOC) recently announced a separate Olympic Esports Series this year with the International Sports Federations from June 22 to 25 in Singapore. Professional and amateur gamers were invited on March 1 to compete in the divisional rounds. 

“I think it’s interesting as far as I love the Olympics and I actually enjoy some esports. It is a competition, I see the value, and there’s skill involved,” said Economics and Psychology teacher Robert Palmer.

Esports is different from other sports in terms of physical demands. Sports like soccer and football make players run and sweat, but Esports requires more mental acuity in games like chess, where players have to think more before making a move. 

“I think chess is a good game to have just because chess is an international game where everyone knows it,” said avid gamer Brandon Gins (‘24).

The series will add games such as Tic Tac Bow, Chess, Just Dance, Gran Turismo, Virtual Taekwondo, and more. However, many games don’t contain a competitive scene unlike other sports in the Olympics.

“I think the virtual Taekwondo thing is weird, being a Taekwondo athlete and competing at a lot of tournaments. I think it’s just strange that they would add it to Esports instead of adding games like League of Legends or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive,” said Gins.

The IOC did not use some of these popular games since they demanded, “peace through sport.” Even though we don’t have these popular games, the Olympics are still trying to change up the competitive scene. 

“Moving forward, I think this is going to get more people, younger eyeballs, and interest in the Olympics, which I think is only a good thing. That interest could expand the past esports division and more traditional sports as well,” said Palmer.

Introducing Esports into the Olympics will expand the variety of viewerships by showing younger audiences a larger aspect of what can be considered a sport and bringing more viewers to the event.

“I think it’s a good step forward for the esports scene in general. Esports is getting a lot more views, it’s getting more popular, so joining the Olympics is good for the sport,” said Gins.