Games with violent elements are not welcome by the Olympic Committee

It’s highly likely that games like Call of Duty or Overwatch won’t even be considered for the Olympics, according to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

Overwatch, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Street Fighter V, League of Legends and many other games do not qualify for Olympic competition in the esports category because of elements of violence, explosions, or killing. shit.

Despite recent positive developments, esports games once again appear to be struggling to become an Olympic sport following statements from IOC President Thomas Bach about the violent nature of the game. power of many esports games today.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post (via GamesIndustry), Bach frankly said that the most popular games on the market simply do not match the values ​​​​that the Olympic Games want to build.

More specifically, to quote Bach:

“We want to raise the spirit of anti-discrimination, anti-discrimination, anti-violence and peace-loving in everyone. Games with violence, explosions and killing do not fit these criteria. And so we have to make a clear distinction.”

In early August, Paris Olympic Bidding Committee Co-Chair Tony Estanguet told the AP that the committee was interested in bringing esports into Olympic competition, and would bring it up for discussion at the Committee meeting. International Olympic Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, this meeting is held this year.

Neither of the two officials specifically said what game they were referring to, but Bach did say the line was drawn with gun titles. Violence goes against “Olympic values,” in Bach’s words. That’s why only sports games will be considered.

Sorry Dota 2, League of Legends, Overwatch, CS: GO and Call of Duty, Street Fighter V, can’t attend the Olympics. However, Bach also hinted at the possibility that sports simulations (meaning, is Rocket League still possible?) could be considered.

“So if someone plays virtual football (or other sports) we are very interested. We hope that, then, the players will bring true sports performances. If fans then play those sports in real life, we’ll have even more fun.”

As you may remember, when Paris was bidding to host the Olympics, they mentioned the possibility of bringing esports games into the 2024 Olympics, but this still seems very unlikely with the current International Olympic Committee. Regarding esports in Paris 2024, Bach added:

“We are still discussing. It will take some time as the industry is still taking shape. It’s a successful industry, but it’s not really organized in a very organized way.”

Bach also raised many problems with the addition of esports, such as the lack of standard sets of rules for things like drug use, or the fact that esports are commercial products after all – so , these disciplines could theoretically cease to exist if the publishing company shuts down or stops developing the game.