The Pan American Games welcomed esports into their family on Wednesday, with gamers participating in their own opening ceremony and anthem. Although this three-day competition will not contribute to the medal table, gamers from 25 countries are still fully integrated into the event. They wear national team uniforms, reside in the athletes village, hold official credentials, and are allowed to partake in the closing ceremonies on Sunday. However, any medals won will not be included in their country’s official total, unlike the Asian Games where esports had full medal status.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), who observed esports’ widespread popularity at the Asian Games, will closely monitor the Pan Am competition as esports seeks inclusion in the Olympic programme. Esports has been involved in other multi-sport competitions, such as the Commonwealth and European Games, but the final decision rests with the IOC.
When asked about the Olympics, Paul Foster, CEO of the Global Esports Federation (GEF), stated that the decisions lie within the jurisdiction of the IOC. Foster also expressed excitement for the potential collaboration between traditional sports and digital sports, emphasizing the importance of bringing communities closer together.
The IOC is eager to engage with the massive fan base of over three billion gamers worldwide, most of whom are young men and women. However, there are various complications that need to be resolved, including issues with doping and the types of game titles eligible for competition in esports.
One reason why esports medals will not be counted at the Pan Am Games is that gamers are not currently subjected to doping controls, which all other athletes in Santiago must undergo. The GEF is in discussions with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to address this matter, focusing on educating gamers about the risks of performance-enhancing drugs.
Although esports attracted enormous crowds during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, it is unlikely that the Pan Am Games will generate the same level of attention. The Pan Am competition consists of two events: efootball and Dota 2, a multiplayer online battle arena game. The venue for this competition is a tent located in a grassy corner of the Games fan zone, unlike Hangzhou, where $627 million was invested in constructing a new esports venue.
However, the GEF views this as an opportunity to invest in the development of several new events in the Pan American region. Paul Foster describes the Pan Am esports championships as a festival celebrating music, fashion, fun, food, and community, reflecting the social aspects of gaming culture. He considers this competition to be a positive initial step for the GEF in the region.
Reporting by Steve Keating in Santiago. Editing by Toby Davis.
