In a plot twist for the gaming world, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia have canceled their 12-year deal to host the Esports Olympics in Riyadh. The move marks a rare stumble for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 push, which aims to diversify the kingdom’s economy through sports and tech. 🌍💻
Game Over for Riyadh’s Olympic Ambitions?
The partnership, announced just before the Paris 2024 Olympics, was meant to blend traditional sports values with esports’ explosive popularity. But clashes over which games to include—like ‘Call of Duty’ and ‘Street Fighter’—reportedly caused friction. The IOC emphasized aligning with ‘Olympic values,’ while Saudi Arabia’s existing Esports World Cup (backed by MBS himself) leans into high-stakes, big-money tournaments. 💸
What’s Next for Esports x Olympics?
The IOC says it’ll ‘reset’ its strategy, aiming to launch the Esports Olympics ‘as soon as possible.’ Could Singapore or China step in? China, already the world’s largest esports market, hosted gaming events at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia isn’t slowing down: its $55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts and Jared Kushner-linked investments show gaming remains a top priority. 🚀
For now, gamers and investors alike are left wondering: Can the Olympics truly level up with Gen Z’s digital passions? 🎯
