Every four years I discover at least 10 events I had no idea were included in the Olympics. Imagine training your life away to win a gold medal in speed walking, I think that’s absolutely insane. Even the cool skater kids get to kickflip their way into some medals. All of these events made me think, how close are we to seeing video gamers at the olympics? Gaming has generated millions over the last five years and gamers are now being treated as professional athletes. Last year during lockdown I realized how much of an impact video games had when ESPN showed games of 2K and Madden. People are actually signing contracts, winning big prize money, and being drafted into NBA 2K leagues. With the amount of money, popularity, and global impact that gaming has it’s only a matter of time before it becomes apart of the Olympic Games. Now you may be reading this with the thought that you have a chance to qualify and I’m here to tell you, you’re not that guy pal!

How would we determine teams? What systems would qualify? I think to start off with they go with Playstation and Xbox. Have qualifying events for the best gamers in the world, not people who play for fun, no we need the real deal. There will be multiplayer and single player events with sporting, shooter, and fighting games as the three categories. Imagine winning a gold for beating the brakes off of somebody in a game of Mortal Kombat. The possibilities are absolutely endless when it comes to what the video game community could do for the Olympics. The demographics that they could reach could be a literal game changer. An olympic video game completion could generate more ratings than a men’s USA basketball game. I think it would make the most sense to make gaming apart of the Winter Olympics since they don’t have to be outside and it’s more on par with the type of vibe the other events have. In 2024 when the IOC adds gaming to the list of events remember where you heard it first!

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