The governing body revealed the news in a social media post andpress release, which features a quote that’s getting panned by both those who work in esports and those who are fans of them.
“By partnering with the Saudi NOC we have also ensured that the Olympic values are respected, in particular, with regard to the game titles on the program, the promotion of gender equality, and engagement with the young audience, which is embracing esports,” said IOC President Thomas Bach in the press release.
“Yeah Very nice joke,”saidone esports fan in response to the quote.
Some called the statement hypocritical, as the Middle Eastern country has ahistoryof restricting women’s rights and that the event furthers itssportwashingagenda.
“The Olympics needs esports more than esports needs the Olympics. This is another shameless cash grab further perpetuating sports washing by the Saudi Government. What a waste,” League of Legends esports veteran Myra Davissaidon social media.
Kevin Hitt, an esports reporter for Sportskeeda, hasclaimedthat the IOC is censoring response to the announcement.
IOC media is censoring posts from some X users that are posing political and gender questions as it relates to the event and esports in general.https://t.co/gYNQZjLD0g
Instead, the event hosted games like Tic Tac Bow and Just Dance while Rocket League, Street Fighter, and NBA2K were given exhibition matches.
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The specific times, dates, and featured esports have not been specified at the time of writing. However, French outlet L’epuipreportedthat the publishers behind League of Legends, Rocket League, and Street Fighter are having conversations with the IOC about appearing at the event.
This announcement comes as theEsports World Cupis still marching on in Riyadh with almost every major competitive title seeing play at the massive event.
Declan McLaughlin was a Gaming & Esports Writer on Dexerto’s US team, specializing in Valorant and League of Legends. He has bylines at Upcomer and Inven Global.
