The first ever Olympic Esports champions were crowned on Sunday (June 25) after a week of competition in Singapore.
Over 130 participants from more than 60 countries across the globe competed in the 10 events which made up the Olympic Esports Series 2023 including archery, baseball, chess, cycling, dance, motorsport, sailing, shooting, Taekwondo and tennis.
IOC Vice-President Ser Miang Ng described the event as an “exciting time for all of us, and probably a historical moment as well” while David Lappartient, the IOC’s Esports Liaison Group Chair, celebrated the inclusivity and gender equality of the event which allows the IOC to reach new audiences.
Australia’s Ben Hill celebrates with teammates after competing in the men’s sprint cycling event during the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore on June 23, 2023. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)
For his part, IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell, noted that engaging with Esports is part 15 strategic goals in the Olympic agenda and is about “using technology to reach out to young people around the world to promote the Olympic movement and to promote sport.”
