Intel has been in talks with the International Olympic Committee on the potential for e-sports among the Olympic Games, an executive for the chip maker has revealed.
The body responsible for the international sporting event has shown interest in the increasingly popular form of competition using videogames, but has hesitated about whether it could one day make the cut as a medal event at the Olympics over concerns about violence.
At the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, Intel, a partner of the Olympics, showcased how technology such as 5G, VR, drones and artificial intelligence could be used to enhance the Games, as well as e-sports, with a demonstration using Starcraft.
During a summit in October 2017, it was determined that e-sports could be considered as a sporting activity but it must not infringe on the Olympic values.
It was also found that a lack of organisation guaranteeing compliance with the rules and regulations of the Olympic Movement for e-sports would also make it tricky to gain IOC recognition.
“We don’t have a view on whether it should be (included) or not but we’re totally open and have been talking to the Olympics to let them understand what e-sports is and what potential there could be for it, but ultimately it is down to Olympic Committee on whether they decide to bring it on,” said Scott Gillingham, Intel UK gaming & e-sports leader.
Discussions
“There are discussions between Intel and the Olympic Committee on, are there other things we could showcase for you, but nothing at this point is confirmed but there are conversations.
“Intel is the technology partner for the Olympic Committee and for the Olympics, so as we look at deploying all types of different technology at the Olympics, so how do we help deploy 5G, etc, so I think as part of that technology discussion. There are two-way discussions on what is e-sports, and again, from the Olympic Committee standpoint, they’re really asking us to help them understand what e-sports is.”
Paris 2024 Olympic organisers have reportedly held similar talks about including e-sports during the next Olympic Games, in a bid to make the French capital an e-sports hub for Europe.