Statistics show that there are a whopping 2.5 billion gamers globally, far exceeding the number of players of "popular sports" like basketball and tennis. After years of discussion over how and whether the Olympics should integrate competitive video gaming, esports had their place alongside traditional sports at the Tokyo Games this year. At the same time, mental skills have always been at the core of human society. Over half of Americans think video games should be considered a part of the Olympics, according to new research. It's a form of competition in which the competitive medium is video games. Yes, esports qualifies as a real sport, just as video games qualify as real entertainment and art. For the World Rowing Federation's entry, the IOC's initial announcement listed, "Open format.". Esports May Be Recognized As A Sport In The Olympics. However, this could not be further from the truth — gaming really can be a positive coping method for the stresses of daily life as opposed to a detriment. Opinion: eSports belong in the Olympics - The Varsity They have no business in the Olympics, even with the IOC . Video games. This is why golf never should have become an Olympic sport The Olympics is currently hosting its first-ever virtual sporting event series, the Olympic Virtual Series. Yes, mostly. Is Esports a Sport? - CES 2022 There is an age-old argument that esports should join the Olympic Games, and there are a lot of emotions involved - but people are looking in the wrong direction. Yes, on the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, video games were being covered. ESports has even been introduced in colleges in the form of an intercollegiate athletic sport. The first step for a sport to be included in the Olympic Games . Esports should also be in the Olympics because they are accessible. But that would benefit no one, and be a wasted opportunity for others. Maybe if Los Angeles gets the 2024 Games they could play at Riviera or take a trip up the . Additionally, eSports in the Olympics could reduce the social stigma surrounding video games. Linking Esports to health risks and benefits: Current knowledge and ... Back in October 2017, the International Olympic Committee agreed that "eSports could be considered as a sporting activity but it must not infringe on the Olympic values," (violence in games is . Having spent time at the esports demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, the value of esports to the global sport movement is hard to miss. A Question Of Sport: Is ESports A Real Sport? - The Drum Live. Coubertin proposed the idea because his studies had shown that sports promote "body, mind, and character." Something that I think eSports fits perfectly - even the physical aspect. The victor of each game will net a hefty $250,000 grand prize. Needless to say, not everyone is on board with including esports in the Olympics.