With the next edition of the Olympic Games fast approaching, the eyes of the world will slowly start turning towards Paris, France, as athletes from countries around the world complete their final preparations for their registered discipline. Athletes will compete for medals across 32 different sports from 24th July. And it is these athletes that will inspire the next generation of athletic talent to go for gold themselves. 

While young aspiring athletes dream about representing their country in traditional Olympic sports such as swimming, track and field, and gymnastics, there is another phenomenon that will most certainly provide an intriguing alternative to those traditional disciplines and could potentially create a new pathway for youngsters to become an Olympian. 

That phenomenon is Esports, and it could become part of the Olympic Games sooner than you think. Esports is now much more than simply a craze. There are multiple streaming websites like Twitch and YouTube that broadcast the action to millions around the world, and even online betting platforms like one that can be found here that also follow the action live. Such is the level of attention Esports is gaining, universities around the world are also beginning to introduce Esports degree programs, which is a huge positive for people looking for an opportunity to become an Esports athlete.

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Proposal to be voted on this summer 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has an incredibly open mind as to which sports appear at the Games and discussions have been ongoing around the potential involvement of Esports in the Olympic Games in its current guise. However, while this is a possibility, a proposal that seems more likely to be passed by the committee is the notion of a separate Olympic Esports Games. The proposal will be voted on at the 142nd IOC Session that will take place during the Games in Paris this summer.

It is an exciting and pivotal moment for Esports enthusiasts. The inclusion of Esports in the Olympic Games themselves, or as a separate event, will surely inspire a new demographic of people to become Esports Olympians. The idea of an Esports Olympic Games would also reach out to a divergent audience who represent the increasingly digital world we live in. 

Where to start?

Like it is for any athlete, you start with training at the very beginning. Nowadays, there are more university degree programs emerging all around the world that offer a pathway into Esports. The study of Esports is treated like collegiate sport, where students compete in leagues against other colleges or universities. The values of teamwork, communication, and concentration are developed in this way. However, an important aspect to remember if you decide to pursue a career as an Esports athlete is which games could potentially be used in competition. 

The main criterion for the IOC is to select sports that align with Olympic values. These are respect, excellence, and friendship. Therefore, there is a high chance that games such as Call of Duty or Counter-Strike will not be selected at any Esports Olympic Games. However, there are still many other games that appeared at the Olympic Esports Series in 2023 like chess, basketball, dancing, and motorsport that you can hone your skills in. As for any athlete, the path would be a long one, but if you have a passion for Esports, there is no reason why you cannot be you taking gold at a future Esports Olympic Games.