It wasn't long ago that LA launched a bid to get esports into the olympic games (an effort that has since been abandoned) but now co-president of the Paris Olympic bid committee Tony Estaguet has told The Associated Press (via NBC) that he'll hold talk with esports representatives as well as the International Olympic Committee about the possibility of esports joining the program as part of the 2024 games.
The Asian Games has already incorporated esports into its program, starting in 2022, and it remains to be seen whether Paris can be successful in getting it into the Olympic Games. Paris will be confirmed as the hosts by the IOC next month in Peru, with LA taking the 2028 games, and we for one hope we can see esports there.
"We have to look at it because we can't say, 'It's not us. It's not about Olympics,'" Estanguet in a London interview. "The youth, yes they are interested in esport and this kind of thing. Let's look at it. Let's meet them. Let's try if we can find some bridges."
"I don't want to say 'no' from the beginning. I think it's interesting to interact with the IOC, with them, the esports family, to better understand what the process is and why it is such a success."
"There is some time to look at it, to interact, to engage," he continued. "We will spend some time after (the IOC meeting in September) Lima to engage with new people and stakeholders. The IOC will have the last ... say, if they want esports on the program. Let's discuss among ourselves."
Do you agree that esports should be in the Olympics?