The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recently announced a partnership with the Saudi Arabian Olympic & Paralympic Committee to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia next year. This decision has raised concerns due to Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record, including the criminalization of homosexuality and limited rights for women.
Despite the controversy surrounding the partnership, the IOC has emphasized that it has ensured that Olympic values will be respected during the Esports Olympic Games. The Saudi government’s heavy financial investment in esports, including financing events like the Esports World Cup, has paved the way for this collaboration.
The inclusion of game titles like Apex Legends in esports events hosted by Saudi Arabia has sparked disappointment among fans, given the game’s inclusive nature conflicting with the Saudi government’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights. Organizations like British eSports have also faced scrutiny for partnering with the Saudi eSports Federation, with inclusivity being a key concern in the esports community.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s minister of sport and Olympic committee president, has expressed commitment to hosting a successful event that upholds Olympic values while promoting gender equality and engaging with a young audience. The IOC’s partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Olympic & Paralympic Committee is set to span 12 years, with regular Esports Olympic Games planned during this period.
The IOC’s shift towards embracing esports marks a significant change from its previous stance that deemed esport “killer games” contradictory to Olympic values. While details about the upcoming Esports Olympic Games are yet to be announced, it is expected that further information will be disclosed in the coming months.