ATR First: Esports Takes Steps Towards Olympics

(ATR) Patrick Baumann tells Around the Rings that GAISF will have to "think creatively" in how to recognize esports – and says an Esports Olympics is worth exploring.

The president of the Global Association of International Sports Federations spoke to ATR at the first Esports Forum at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne on Saturday. Leaders and pro players from the esports industry participated in sessions with Olympic Movement stakeholders.

Traditional sports must go through a lengthy recognition process in order to join GAISF and then fulfill additional strict criteria to be formally recognized by the IOC.

Baumann indicated that a new process might be implemented to bring esports into the Olympic Movement.

"I’m not afraid of moving fast or slower depending on what is necessary and taking bold decisions if that is the right thing to do," Baumann said in an exclusive interview with ATR.

Some esports publishers and executives told the forum that an esports federation, covering a range of different games, would be problematic due to the diverse nature of them, meaning recognition by GAISF through traditional channels would not be viable.

"I would agree. This industry functions differently. That means we would have to think creatively on how to build those bridges with the esports community. We cannot do this in the same way as we would with a traditional sport," he said.

"Thomas Bach this morning said this is not about esports adopting our structure and vice versa, certainly not for us adopting their structures."

First Steps

Saturday’s forum was the first time the esports industry has come together with Olympic stakeholders. Around 150 delegates were present, with about 50 media covering the forum.

Baumann, who is also secretary general of the International Basketball Federation, said the exchange of ideas and information was the first step and a "time-out" would be needed after the conference to digest the discussions and work out future plans for collaboration.

"I think the IOC has demonstrated it can adapt, adjust and be fast. This is something that is still moving and growing. We have heard it is in a transition, it is growing fast but it is not yet where the [esports] publishers would like to see," Baumann said.

"We still have to learn and in our world… our federations, IOC members we need to be open."

The aim was to "create a dialogue and keep the dialogue for months to come and in a year or so maybe have a much clearer idea of which route for esports… Olympics, integration or more demonstration," he said.

Esports Olympics Possible?

One leading esports developer, U.S.-based Epic Games co-founder Mark Rein, suggested in a roundtable discussion that an Esports Olympics should be held after the summer or winter Olympics.

"You don’t necessarily have to bring esports into the summer or winter Olympics, they could still have an Esports Olympics. People would love playing for their country under the Olympic ideals and being on the world stage," he said.

The developer of shoot-'em-up game Fortnite, which reported 125 million players worldwide in May, added: "It could be a way for the Olympics to grow their brands too. You could have events in off years or right after events. A lot of the venues used are perfect for esports."

Commenting on a possible Esports Olympics staged with the IOC’s blessing, Baumann said: "There are a lot of ideas and this is certainly an interesting one to explore."

"There are red lines where we have to be careful with what the IOC and the Olympic Movement are associated with and President Bach was pretty clear about those red lines we have to protect," he added.

The IOC president’s comment came in a one-on-one interview with pro Overwatch player Jake Lyon.

"We have a red line when it comes to an activity or game where it is about the glorification of violence or discrimination. This red line cannot be crossed by the Olympic Movement. We are absolutely clear."

Rein of Epic Games jokingly referred to the comment in a separate discussion: "I made a list of all the violent sports in the Olympics, I can read it if you like."

Other games developers and publishers questioned where the IOC might draw the red line with regard to Olympic values, when there was a degree of violence in sports such as boxing, karate and taekwondo currently on the Games program.

Baumann said: "The IOC president made it clear. But having said that every idea is good to be explored, nothing is forbidden and nothing is done."

He said the "glorification of violence and discrimination" was a red line that had to be taken into consideration. "But beyond that the president also said and I also said, this is open mind and open door, everything is conceivable and possible."

Learning Curve for Federations

The IOC has made a big show of widening the appeal of the Olympics through sports additions such as skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing to reach the younger generation.

Sean Bratches, managing director of commercial operations at Formula 1, spoke in a session about the importance of the IOC staying relevant and embracing esports. "It is incumbent upon them to look at this very openly and seriously."

The presidents of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation and International Triathlon Union agreed.

Speaking to ATR, IBSF chief Ivo Ferriani said: "Technology runs so fast so we cannot predict what will happen in six months.

"Therefore we must be open to learn how to work together. We cannot ignore such a huge movement and the new generation’s needs. We have to sit together and listen to each other and work out a possible way to make this bridge very strong."

ITU president Marisol Casado underscored the importance of the Olympic Movement talking with esports to work out "what we have in common".

"We need to have more of this to shape our ideas. At the beginning of this morning I didn’t understand, now I more or less understand," she said, adding that it was a big learning curve.

Antony Scanlon, executive director of the International Golf Federation, said esports had potential to "attract youth to our sport to increase the number of people playing the game" and to grow golf’s fanbase.

Written and reported by Mark Bissonin Lausanne

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