Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 142nd session in Paris unanimously approved the decision to approve the creation of the Olympic Esports Games.
Image source: SEGA
Although the IOC shared details of the first ever eSports Olympics a week and a half ago, July 23 can now be considered its official birthday.
The IOC called the approval of the creation of the Olympic eSports Games a historic moment, and President Thomas Bach called it the beginning of a new era for the organization.
«This is truly a new era for the IOC. With the confirmation by the IOC session participants of the creation of the Olympic eSports Games, we are keeping pace with the digital revolution,” Bach said in a press release.
Image source: YouTube (IOC Media)
The first Olympic eSports Games will be held in 2025 in Saudi Arabia. The duration of the agreement between the IOC and the Olympic Committee of the eastern country is 12 years.
Following the IOC’s decision, “work will begin immediately to determine the capital, location and exact time of the first Olympic eSports Games, projects to be included in the program, qualification process for participants and other details.”