The IOC has definitively closed the door to the Paris 2024 Games, but e-sport continues to occupy the work and reflections of the Olympic movement.
A liaison group on e-sports and video games was commissioned last year to work on the issue. It held its first two meetings and presented a report to the IOC session earlier this month in Lausanne.
At its head, David Lappartient (photo below), president of the International Cycling Union (UCI). The French leader explained to FrancsJeux the IOC’s strategy on e-sport and its thoughts.
FrancsJeux : Is the arrival of e-sport at the Olympic Games in the near future still relevant for the IOC?
David Lappartient : A line has been set by the IOC, it is clear: e-sport and gaming will not be present at the Olympic Games, we do not recognize a federation or an international organization which governs them, and finally we do not recognize e-sports and gaming as sports. However, we believe that there are a host of opportunities to explore with this world of electronic games and sports. We also think it is possible to create links with the Olympic Games. In the case of cycling, for example, virtual reality makes it possible to reproduce the conditions of a race at home. With technology, enthusiasts can participate in the Games in their own way. Thomas Bach said it again and again: the Olympic movement must establish a strategy in the field of e-sport.
Thomas Bach also seems very keen to establish distinctions between the different categories of e-sport…
Quite. We distinguish two categories. The first is virtual sports. At the Tour de Suisse cycling race, this year, the first stage will be contested virtually, with the Zwift application. The second category includes electronic games. Some of them, like FIFA, are based on Olympic sports. But the majority of the audience today is located elsewhere. It focuses on non-sports games, like Fortnite or League of Legends. Thomas Bach proposes a two-tiered approach. Firstly, focus on virtual sport, because it is based on sporting practice. It will then be time to initiate a strategy on electronic games.
Unlike traditional sport, e-sport is not a matter of national or international federations. Are you ready to dialogue with private publishers who hold the rights?
Of course. At the UCI, we have signed a partnership with Zwift. In 2020, we will have the first virtual cycling world championships. This constitutes real novelty. This universe will quickly become structured, with national and continental championships. Thomas Bach wants international federations to question the virtual version of their sport: how to implement it, how to regulate and develop it.
Are all disciplines suitable for virtual sport?
No, but there are more of them than we think who are moving in this direction. A figure proves it: 75% of international federations have defined a strategy or are considering doing so. But 85% of them also have no rules regarding virtual sport today. The will is there, that's for sure, but the step is still rarely taken.
By leaving e-sport at the door of the Olympic Games, do you not risk depriving yourself of the young clientele, which the Olympic movement greatly needs?
Young people play video games, we are aware of this. There are even 75% of 12-17 year olds who indulge in it. But the competitors are not as numerous within this population. Of the 2,2 billion people who play video games, only 150 million participate in tournaments. At the Lausanne 2020 Youth Games, many competitors played video games. The two activities are not incompatible. We believe that an athlete who practices e-sports or gaming needs a certain balance. He needs physical activity for his well-being. To do this, we must encourage them to turn to real sport, or even to regulate this activity. In China, there are cutoff times for logging in, depending on the age of players.
Is it possible to see the emergence in the more or less near future of Olympic Games dedicated to virtual sports?
This question is debated. It is still to be discussed. It is too early to provide an answer. The Olympic movement must adapt to its environment, but with the desire to share its values. The Asian Games have integrated e-sport demonstrations, and the Pan American Games are also taking the same path.
E-sport will not be present at the Paris 2024 Games, but could it make its debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games?
It will be up to the IOC to decide, but it is certain that things are changing more and more quickly. Virtual sport is today closer and closer to real sport. We are at a stage in our reflection, but the field of opportunities looks very vast.
