(KGTV) - Video games in the Olympics? The idea could be a possibility in the near future, as Paris mulls esports as an addition to the 2024 Olympic games.
Tony Estanguet, co-president of the Paris Olympic bid committee, plans to speak with representatives of the esports community and the International Olympic Committee to bring the growing sport to the 2024 lineup, according to the Associated Press.
“We have to look at it because we can’t say, ‘It’s not us. It’s not about Olympics,'” Estanguet told the AP in an interview in London. “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."
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The fan base behind esports has continued to surge in recent years, already being confirmed for the 2022 Asian Games - a multi-sport competition considered second only to the Olympics in terms of size.
Las Vegas recently constructed a 15,000-square-foot esports arena to host tournaments and this month's International Dota 2 Championship held in Seattle saw competitors vying for a piece of the event's $20 million prize money.
Miracle and @TeamLiquid are moving onto the next round. It is the end for Team Secret. pic.twitter.com/tkCYpUuxnA
— The Esports Writer (@FionnOnFire) August 9, 2017
Even ESPN has it's own "ESPN Esports" coverage, something TV viewers may have never expected as more streaming and cable companies consider increasing their own coverage.
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Estanguet said the successes of the sport are something worth looking into for future games, with the potential to reach the 148 million esports fans from around the world.
“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," Estanguet told the AP.
The esports industry is expected to surpass $1 billion in revenue by 2019 and has reached the same level as professional baseball and hockey in terms of viewership, according to Sports Illustrated.
Esport tournaments feature teams of players competing in various games, including League of Legends, Dota 2, Hearthstone, Super Smash Bros., and more.
Paris will be awarded the 2024 games next month at an IOC gathering in Lima, Peru, barring any setbacks.
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