The Olympic celebration makes people envious. In increasing numbers. One of the latest may come as a surprise: the International Electronic Sports Federation (IeSF) has started solid outreach to the IOC. It aims to be recognized by the Olympic movement, the first step towards possible entry into the Games program. Wishful thinking? Alex Lim, the general secretary of the IeSF, assures the opposite. He explained it to FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux: You were present in Lausanne last month for the SportAccord 2016 Convention. Why?
Alex Lim: We have been coming here for the third year. The reason is simple: we hope to soon obtain recognition of our international federation, the IeSF, by the IOC. We want to establish closer and closer relationships with other international federations. We concluded an agreement with the IAAF last year. We want to increase this type of partnership. Between our first visit to the SportAccord Convention and the third this year, the view of the sports movement has evolved a lot towards us.
Do you meet all the criteria today to claim recognition from the IOC?
We answer the majority of them. Our international federation, the IeSF, has existed for 8 years. We started with 8 member countries, we currently have 44. The IOC requires 50 to claim recognition. We'll be there soon. We have implemented an anti-doping policy, we organize world championships…
Today, what does the IOC think of video games and their presence in the Olympic movement?
The question that arises within the IOC is to determine whether or not video games constitute a real sport. The response is very divided among IOC members. Today, I would say we are 50/50.
How to convince the skeptics?
It is a long process. I'am aware. I myself doubted it when I arrived in this environment. I come from the sports movement: taekwondo, handball, sport business… In my eyes, video games did not necessarily fit into the sporting landscape. But I observed, studied, listened. Today, I no longer have the slightest doubt. Fans of video games have a sporting spirit, they must maintain their physical condition. Philosophically, it is indeed a sport.
And physically?
I played in high school. A gun shooter, above all. After a long session, I was more tired than after playing sports. Studies have shown that the visual reaction of video game professionals is five times faster than that of normal people.
What do the practice and market of video games represent today?
They are growing. In China, 200 million people play video games. Forecasts estimate the global market to be worth $1 billion in 2018. But money is not our first concern. We think more in terms of inheritance. Within the gaming community, many people believe that we don't need recognition from the sports movement. But I am convinced of the opposite. In South Africa, where the federation is recognized by the national Olympic committee, a player can obtain a scholarship to university.
With such growth, and such global popularity, how can we explain that the IeSF currently has only 44 member countries?
We don't want to rush things. We have put in place very strict criteria for the entry of a national federation into the IeSF. We want the new member countries to be impeccable in terms of good governance, transparency, anti-doping policy... We are in no hurry, but very determined.
