Following its half-hearted, widely derided stab at an esports event in 2023, the International Olympic Committee has announced the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Olympic & Paralympic Committee, to be held in Saudi Arabia next year.
Tethering its future esports success to a regime that’s been widely criticised for its poor human rights record – which includes the criminalisation of homosexuality, fewer rights for women, and the use of the death penalty – is certainly a bold opening move for the IOC, but not unexpected given the Saudi government’s heavy financial investment in esports over the last few years.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund is, for instance, financing this year’s Esports World Cup, and its involvement has continued to cause controversy. Apex Legends fans expressed disappointment when the game was confirmed to be part of the Esports World Cup earlier this year, for instance, with many noting the battle royale game’s inclusive outlook was deeply at odds with the Saudi government’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance.
