What's happened
The IOC has mutually ended its partnership with Saudi Arabia on the Olympic Esports Games, citing a need to align better with the Olympic movement's long-term goals. The decision follows delays and challenges in integrating esports into the Olympics, with both parties pursuing separate esports ambitions.
What's behind the headline?
The IOC's decision to end its esports partnership with Saudi Arabia reflects the complex challenges of integrating gaming into the Olympic framework. The mutual termination indicates both sides' recognition that their visions for esports diverge. The IOC's strict criteria, including non-violence and anti-doping standards, limit the scope of eligible games, complicating collaboration. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's existing esports events, like the World Cup, focus on popular shooter games that conflict with IOC values. This split may signal a shift towards more autonomous esports development outside Olympic ambitions, emphasizing the difficulty of merging traditional sports governance with the rapidly evolving gaming industry. The move also underscores the IOC's cautious approach amid broader debates about sportswashing and human rights concerns associated with Saudi investments. Ultimately, the IOC will need to reassess its strategy for engaging younger audiences without relying on controversial partnerships, possibly focusing on smaller, more manageable virtual sports initiatives.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post reports that the IOC and Saudi Arabia mutually agreed to end their cooperation on the Olympic Esports Games, citing a desire to pursue separate esports ambitions. Bloomberg emphasizes the mutual nature of the decision, highlighting the challenges faced in aligning the two parties' visions. AP News notes that this failure is significant given Saudi Arabia's ambitions under Vision 2030 and its investments in sports, including hosting the Esports World Cup. The articles collectively suggest that the IOC's strict criteria and the complexities of integrating esports into the Olympic movement have contributed to the partnership's dissolution, marking a notable shift in the IOC's approach to virtual sports and its engagement with Saudi Arabia.
How we got here
The IOC initially announced a 12-year deal with Saudi Arabia in 2024 to host the Olympic Esports Games, aiming to engage younger audiences. The partnership was part of broader efforts to incorporate esports into the Olympic movement, amid Saudi Arabia's significant investments in sports as part of its Vision 2030. The first planned event was postponed, and negotiations faced difficulties over game selection, anti-doping, and governance issues, leading to the partnership's end.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Did the IOC End Its Esports Partnership with Saudi Arabia?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently ended its partnership with Saudi Arabia over the Olympic Esports Games. This decision highlights the challenges of integrating esports into the Olympic movement and reflects broader geopolitical and strategic considerations. Many are wondering what led to this split, whether esports will ever fully join the Olympics, and how different countries are approaching virtual sports. Below, we explore these questions and more to give you a clear understanding of this significant development.
More on these topics
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The International Olympic Committee is a non-governmental sports organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Founded by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas in 1894, it is the authority responsible for organising the modern Summer and Winter Olympic
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.