eSports: "A discussion about the inclusion of eSports on the Olympic programme is premature" (IOC)

"A discussion about the inclusion of eSports as a medal event on the Olympic programme is premature," said the IOC at the Olympic Summit in Lausanne (SUI) on 08/12/2018.

"It was agreed that the Olympic Movement should continue to engage with this community, whilst at the same time acknowledging that uncertainties remain (see below). A number of these uncertainties do not apply to esports simulation games. Because of this, accelerated cooperation with regard to these kinds of esports is encouraged by the Summit. The Summit encourages the IFs (international federations) to explore the potential benefits and applications of the electronic and virtual versions of their sports, while:
• ensuring they gain or retain appropriate control over the electronic/virtual versions of their sports;
• restricting their engagement to activation in the e-versions and virtual forms of their traditional sports.
It was decided that the IOC/GAISF will invite stakeholders of the esports/egames industry to a liaison group to explore jointly collaborative projects," explained the IOC.

"While the goal was…