IOC votes unanimously to launch inaugural Olympic Esports Games

The Olympic Esports Games are soon to become a reality. At the 142nd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session, all the participating nations voted for a clear majority for the inaugural event. Furthermore, the first edition of the OEG will be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia entered a 12-year partnership with IOC to hold this event.

Following the revelation of this news, there has been a surge of joy among the gaming community. The efforts which started back in 2018 have finally come to fruition.

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Saudi Arabia to host first Olympic Esports Games in 2025

At the 142nd IOC Session, President Thomas Bach proposed a vote for the creation of the Olympic Esports Games. This proposal was passed without any votes against or abstention.

The first edition will be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with scrupulous planning. Following the creation of the inaugural OEG event, President Thomas Bach said:

"This is truly a new era for the IOC. With the confirmation by the IOC Session of the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, we are keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution. The esports community, represented in our Esports Commission, has enthusiastically engaged with this initiative. This is further proof of the attractivity of the Olympic brand and the values it stands for among young people."

While the vote was passed unanimously in the 142nd IOC Session, the seeds of this victory were sown in the session prior.

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The story behind the formation of Olympic Esports Games

During the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India, the members decided to form a Commission to study the creation of the OEG. The Commission, led by IOC Member David Lappartient, brought the core values of the Olympics together with the new outlook of the esports community to form a plan for an event.

At the 142nd IOC Session, Prince Abdulaziz and Princess Reema of Saudi Arabia presented the plans for the project together. Following the good news, the President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, said:

"We believe that taking part in the Olympics is the ultimate honour that any athlete can achieve. That is why we are committed to providing the ultimate platform for new heroes to perform and for the Olympic spirit to be shared. Together we all share the prospect of instilling the Olympic values in new and innovative ways. And we look forward to welcoming the global esports community to the Kingdom in 2025."

The first Olympic Esports Games are scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025. The schedule and participating games are yet to be announced. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda to know about any developments.