In a recent interview with China Media Group in Beijing, IOC President Kirsty Coventry revealed that the International Olympic Committee is pressing pause on its much-anticipated entry into the esports arena. After canceling a landmark deal to host the first Olympic esports events in Riyadh in 2027, the IOC has decided to take a step back and reevaluate its strategy. 🎮
"We're studying everything at the moment," Coventry said. "It’s not an if… we all want to see the esport games happen. But we want to be very clear on what we want it to do and what we want it to deliver."
This move comes on the heels of the IOC canceling the Riyadh 2027 agreement just last month. Originally, Saudi Arabia was set to debut an official Olympic esports competition, aiming to merge traditional sports spectacle with competitive gaming.
Now, with an eye on 2027 and beyond, the IOC is diving deep into planning. Will esports find a permanent place in the Olympic movement? Coventry’s words suggest the answer is yes—but only once the blueprint is rock solid and ready to engage fans worldwide.
For news enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and gamers alike, this moment marks a key crossroads. As the digital competition landscape evolves, all eyes are on the IOC’s next move. Stay tuned—they’re just getting started! 🚀
Reference(s):
IOC undertakes reassessment of inaugural esports event launch
cgtn.com
