Core Viewpoint - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee initially agreed to collaborate on the first "Olympic Esports Games" in Riyadh, marking a significant step towards engaging younger audiences through esports. However, just over a year later, they jointly announced the termination of this 12-year cooperation agreement, raising questions about the rapid shift from potential collaboration to cancellation [2]. Group 1: Origin of Cooperation - Since 2016, the global esports industry has rapidly developed, with sportsification seen as a promising path. The IOC aimed to tap into new growth channels to counteract the aging traditional audience base, leading to initiatives like the "Olympic Esports Series" and the establishment of the IOC Esports Commission [3][5]. - The IOC's data indicated that 3 billion people engage in esports and video games, with over 500 million particularly interested in virtual sports and esports, making the "esports + Olympics" combination attractive for both parties [3][5]. Group 2: Governance, Values, and Ownership Issues - As time progressed, the first Olympic Esports Games faced delays, with the IOC announcing in February that the event would be postponed to 2027 to allow for a more comprehensive framework [6]. - The termination of the cooperation was attributed to three main issues: the selection of esports titles, disputes over ownership rights, and cultural differences between esports and traditional Olympic values [7][9][10]. - The IOC and Saudi Arabia had significant disagreements regarding the governance and ownership of the esports event, with the IOC wanting to maintain traditional governance structures while Saudi Arabia sought to establish its own authority in this emerging field [9][10]. Group 3: Termination and Future Prospects - The IOC emphasized that the termination was not a "breakup" but a decision to pursue independent esports plans, leading to a reevaluation of the event's structure and timeline [15]. - Despite the cessation of collaboration with the IOC, Saudi Arabia continues to advance its esports initiatives, including the "Esports World Cup" with a prize pool of $70 million, indicating its intent to solidify its position in the global esports landscape [15][16]. - The future of the Olympic Esports Games may involve the IOC developing standardized esports events aligned with Olympic values, while Saudi Arabia may focus on independent hosting and partnerships with global publishers [16].
国际奥委会和沙特“分手”，电竞奥运会的未来在哪？
3 6 Ke·2025-11-07 12:16