VIDEO GAMING AS AN OLYMPIC SPORT? What Olympians Say
Encylopedia Britannica.com

Many Olympians and others in sport responded to my post on the bid by “Esports” to become part of the Olympic Games.

These athletes bring a deep passion for sport and their unique insights into the Olympic movement to the table — I thank them for that.

THE MAJORITY FELL INTO THE “YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!” (OR STRONGER) CATEGORY, with a general feeling that the inclusion of “Esports” would fundamentally change the nature of the Games.

Comments such as:

-This is crazy. We cannot allow video gaming to become part of the Olympics. (Alex Partridge, Beijing 2008/London 2012)

-These activities are everything opposite to what the word sport stands for and encourages! (Sarra Lajnef, London 2012)

-If the Olympics want to be a talent show or a fair or simply a business, maybe ESports belongs there. (Anja Bolbjerg, Nagano 1998, SLC 2002)

- If it cannot fulfil the motto of faster, higher, stronger, then it should not be in the Olympics. (Tyrone Smith, Beijing 2008)

-Just because a past-time adds ‘sports’ to its title doesn’t make it sport. The Eurovision Song Contest is competitive, that doesn’t mean it’s a sport, even if it were re-named “Eurovision song-sports.” (Annamarie Phelps, Atlanta 1996)

-I can’t imagine the IOC would get very far with this…. there would be a hue and cry across the globe…at least I hope so. (Karen Lukanovic, Moscow 1980)

SOME WERE MORE POSITIVE ABOUT VIDEO GAMING ITSELF, BUT STILL QUESTIONED THE FIT OF “ESPORTS” WITHIN THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT:

- And yes, to be great at video gaming takes a lot of practice, training and mental skill, but is that the same thing as a marathon runner overcoming extremes of the human body to successfully run 26.2 miles, or a downhill skier flying down a mountain at over 80 mph and battling g-forces in icy slopes? I would say not. (Bill Schuffenhauer, SLC 2002;Turin 2006; Vancouver, 2010)

-My confession is that I’m an avid gamer, and love losing myself in a different world where I can either blow things up, be chased by zombies or feel like I’m driving a Ferrari, but I would never consider it an actual sport. When I was competing at a major championship, I would take my PlayStation away with me to fill the gap on downtime, but that was the extent of it. (Shelley Holroyd, Atlanta, 1996)

One Olympian thought that perhaps Olympic inclusion could propel “Esports” in a more healthy direction: If the youth of today have strengths and a strong interest in gaming — which requires skills such as problem solving, strategy and dexterity — then maybe it’s healthy to give them an Olympic aspiration where they can compete in a world that’s well governed, with clear principles, code of conduct and values? I don’t have the answers, but perhaps in this vein, you have opened an important discussion. (Bianca Broadhurst, Athens 2004)

INEVITABLY, THE QUESTION OF: AREN’T WE JUST OUT OF TOUCH WITH OUR MODERN TECHNOLOGICAL AGE? WAS RAISED

One writer referenced a young “Esports” champion who had explained that when he hears the negatives about Esports, one thing comes to mind: Parents SUCK.

In other words: How can parents have an opinion on something they just will never understand?

I am a parent with 3 kids. I understand the sentiment.

But my experience tells me that parents aren’t as out of touch as kids think: We did grow up (as adults) in an unfolding “digital world,” and our daily lives are interwoven with technology, for good and bad. And perhaps our low-tech childhoods give us at least an awareness of healthier alternatives to ever-present technology that young people don’t always have.

And in the end, who is going to care more about a child’s life, development, balance and happiness: A parent? Or a Tech company and its sponsors?

At times, parents (and Olympic Committees) really do need to SUCK.

FINALLY, THERE SEEMED TO BE A GENERAL SCEPTICISM ABOUT THE IOC’S ABILITY OR DESIRE TO CHOOSE A BALANCED WAY FORWARD

- The IOC may very well sell out, as video gaming is a huge financial market they haven’t broken into. Partnering with e-sports would be millions in broadcasting, sponsorships, and partnerships. But I hope they don’t sell out for this reason. To be completely honest, the IOC will lose their credibility and respect if they go through with this. (Sinéad Russell, London 2012)

- They (the IOC) have the resources to make the Olympics hip again without having to admit eSports into the Olympic program; Now, will they do it? That’s the million-dollar question. (Jimmy Pino: Sydney 2000)

-Esports is a lot of money. It represents, I am certain, a lot more in sponsorships then several amateur sports combined…. so that will be the challenge — ensuring that the IOC walks its talk. (Rebecca Khoury, Former President-CEO Karate Canada)

SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

I still believe that an intuitive and definitive “NO” from the IOC on “Esports” would be best for world: for kids health, for youth sports, and for the Olympic movement itself. And hope the IOC will leave this particular Trojan horse alone and let it wheel itself off to another future.

I think, at heart, many Olympians want this too.

But I am realistic enough to know that, given the commercial pressure around this issue, a quick “NO” is unlikely to happen.

So at least let’s have a real debate rooted in human and Olympic values, rather than in commercial interest; one that recognises the efforts of those working around the world to expand and improve healthy sports for kids, and that respects the achievements of Olympians past and present;

a debate where the IOC’s global social responsibility and its relevance, as the protector of pure sport, take centre stage.

Mike Smith, Founder, BIGiDEASPORTS

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['Mike Smith']
['Olympics', 'Technology', 'Parenting', 'Values', 'Sports']