Olympic Esports 2023: Gamers and Professional Players Express Disappointment Over List of Games for Upcoming Event

Earlier this week, the International Olympic Committee or IOC announced the Olympic Esports Series 2023, which will see esports athletes battle it out in the virtual world.

Esports has long been shunned by traditional sports aficionados. However, with IOC’s new event, it might soon see mainstream acceptance.

The upcoming competition will feature nine esports events based around virtual versions of traditional sports such as archery, swimming, and more. While non-gamers might not have an issue with these selections, the gaming community doesn’t seem thrilled.

I have never been angrier at a global entity in gaming before like I am about this. In front of the entire world you openly and willingly show you did NO consultation and were okay presenting our industry in the WORST light you could. You are not welcome in our industry.

— Jess???? (@JessGOAT) March 3, 2023

For anyone defending the Olympics or saying the esports community is overreacting – I don’t think you understand the context. Imagine spending 10+ years building an industry from nothing to grow it just big enough that the Olympics, the world stage, finally takes notice…and then… https://t.co/Ba8I2Fs1Ah

— Connor Alne (@coachalne) March 2, 2023

Instead of choosing established esports titles that fans of professional gaming have seen over the years, the IOC has rather chosen to alienate the community that it’s trying to attract. While sailing and cycling may have some fun moments, the events will most likely have no interest from fans of games like DOTA 2, Valorant, CS:GO, and more.

Absolutely dying at this list of the “Olympics Esports Games”

It sounds like the person in charge of this still calls every console a “Nintendo” https://t.co/5woXBT1KY6 pic.twitter.com/Y4oXLTzlMV

— Kudos ???? | TENSTAR | ???? SI 2023 (@KudosOnYT) March 1, 2023

Due to these selections, fans have thronged to social media to voice their concerns about the IOC choosing to have esports events based on modern versions of titles like Wii Sports.

Absolutely dying at this list of the “Olympics Esports Games”

It sounds like the person in charge of this still calls every console a “Nintendo” https://t.co/5woXBT1KY6 pic.twitter.com/Y4oXLTzlMV

— Kudos ???? | TENSTAR | ???? SI 2023 (@KudosOnYT) March 1, 2023

Olympic Esports Series be like: pic.twitter.com/mDzSFwhxGL

— Nikita (@clozzenough) March 2, 2023

Several fans have also began posting lists of games they would like to see in the Olympic Esports Series as well.

Fixed your esports for you @Olympics pic.twitter.com/XUE9JEVHgp

— Cloud9 (@Cloud9) March 1, 2023

In the end, it will be interesting to see whether the IOC’s gamble will pay off. However, at the moment, the organisation will have to suffice with disappointing looks from the gaming community.