Esports with violent content contrary to Olympic values - Bach

Record ID: 1377599

  • Title: Esports with violent content contrary to Olympic values - Bach
  • Date: 19th April 2018
  • Summary: ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** AUDIENCE SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (English) INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC) PRESIDENT, THOMAS BACH, SAYING: "In order to be recognised in a way by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and by the Olympic movement it is not enough just to show physical activity. There, this physical activity must also be in compliance with the values of the Olympic movement." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PRESIDENT, THOMAS BACH, SAYING: "Therefore we have to draw a very clear red line in this respect and the red line would be e-games which are these killer games or where you have the promotion of violence or any kind of discrimination as a content of these kind of games. They can never be recognised as a part of the Olympic movement because they would be contrary to our values and our principles." AUDIENCE
  • Embargoed: 3rd May 2018 17:05
  • Keywords: International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach India New Delhi Electronic gaming Esports Wall Climbing Tokyo
  • Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA
  • City: NEW DELHI, INDIA
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Olympics,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA0038C3K37J
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Esports with violent or discriminatory content cannot be considered for the Olympic Games, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said on Thursday (April 19).
    Esports, the competitive side of electronic gaming, boasts an estimated 250 million players worldwide in a growing market worth about a billion dollars a year.
    The IOC in November recognised esports as a sports activity and it will be a medal event at the 2022 Asian Games.
    Bach, during a news conference in New Delhi, acknowledged the popularity of esports among young people but was wary of gaming's often-violent narrative.
    Grappling with an ageing traditional audience and the waning appeal of several Olympic sports, the IOC is desperate to woo young people.
    The introduction of sport climbing at the Tokyo 2020 Games is seen as another step in that direction and Bach said it was necessary to embrace new disciplines to stay relevant.
    Earlier in the day, Bach met the new set of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials and sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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