Olympic Esports Games in limbo after IOC decision, report suggests

• The International Olympic Committee reportedly put the activities of the Esports Commission on hold
• The action marks another hiccup in the way of the Olympic Esports Games, which, despite the initial plan to take place in 2027, were cancelled late last year
• For the moment, the Olympic Esports Games remain in limbo

Across the globe, esports attract viewership from a lot of age groups, from teenagers to young adults and even people in their 30s and 40s.

Despite intense talks and agreements that would’ve brought the Olympic Esports Games, the future of this project is now even more uncertain.

That’s due to a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has reportedly put the work of the Esports Commission on hold.

Esports Commission’s activities are reportedly on hold

As announced by Kyodo, the leading Japanese news agency, the activities of the Esports Commission have been put "on hold," under instructions of the IOC.

Fans of esports undoubtedly remember the success of the Olympic Esports Week, which was held in Singapore in 2023, paving the way for the much-anticipated Olympic Esports Games.

While initially, the latter was planned to take place in 2025 via an agreement with Saudi Arabia, the Olympic Esports Games were postponed to 2027.

Then, unexpectedly, the event was cancelled late in October last year, after the agreement between the IOC and Saudi Arabia fell through the cracks.

Still, the effort to make the Olympic Esports Games a reality under the former IOC President, Thomas Bach, was significant and it looked like the much-anticipated esports event will take place.

However, as of last June, the new IOC President, Kirsty Coventry, assumed the role.

Unlike Bach, Coventry seems to maintain focus on existing sports rather than the addition of new ones, such as esports.

If that remains the case, the future of the Olympic Esports Games remains uncertain.

At the time of writing, the IOC hasn’t officially addressed the issue.

It remains to be confirmed whether or not the decision to pause the activities of the Esports Commission is temporary or permanent and how that will impact the future of the Olympic Esports Games.

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