Should Esports Be an Olympic Sport?
In Should Esports Be an Olympic Sport?, some wonder if competitive gaming should join the Olympics, which could give it global recognition. While esports already has huge international competitions, the Olympic Committee isn’t interested in these games yet. But with esports growing fast and players making millions, some say it doesn’t even need the Olympics to succeed! This video is excerpted from BBC’s My World, a program created for teenagers eager to learn more about the important stories shaping our world.
Lesson Express
Q: Some people believe esports doesn’t need the Olympics to keep growing. What evidence supports this view?
A: Esports already has a massive global audience and generates billions in revenue without Olympic involvement. It continues to expand through international tournaments, better storytelling, and growing fan engagement, showing that it can thrive on its own.
Q: Why might adding esports to the Olympics change how people view competitive gaming?
A: Adding esports to the Olympics could give it more prestige and recognition, making it seem more like a traditional sport. It might also change how players train, how games are chosen, and how the public views gaming as a serious competition rather than just entertainment.
Q: What challenges might arise if esports were added to the Olympics?
A: One major challenge would be deciding which games to include since there are so many different types. Another issue is that video games frequently update or change, unlike traditional sports with set rules. There could also be debates over fairness, accessibility, and whether esports fits the Olympic ideals of physical competition.