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Riot Games is in talks with the Olympic Committee on the future of League of Legends esports
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Riot Games has confirmed that there is an ongoing conversation between the company and the Olympic leadership about the possibility of League of Legends appearing as a medal discipline at the Olympics.
League of Legends is one of eight esports games to debut at the 2022 Asian Games. This is an important step for the game and esports in general.
League of Legends Esports global head Naz Aletaha confirmed that Riot is in talks with Olympic leadership as the company considers expanding further in the future.
Olympic esports?
League of Legends debuted at the Asian Games in 2018. It was one of six games featured as part of the esports showcase. The league event was won by China led by legendary player Jian Wuzi Zhao. They defeated South Korea, whose team included none other than Lee "Faker" Sang Hyuk.
However, the transition from demo to medal competition is an important milestone that could make a huge difference to the future of esports.
“We are happy to see that esports continues to gain popularity and become more popular,” Aletha said through a spokesperson. the potential to participate in future multisport opportunities.”
The inclusion of the league in the Asian Games inevitably raises the question - will we see the League, or esports in general, at the Olympics?
“We continue to talk with the leadership of the Olympic Committee,” Aletakha continued.
Aletahi's comments indicate that Riot is still in the early stages of a process that could eventually lead to the League becoming an Olympic sport. This is a process that includes official IOC recognition of esports in general and the successful filing of a petition to become an Olympic sport. The latter is something Riot has little to no influence over.
“Competitions that are contested at the Summer and Winter Olympics are ultimately the decision of the IOC,” Aletha said.
The IOC conducts a review of Olympic sports before each Olympics, adding and removing sports as needed. While it's a grueling process, there are two factors that are already working in League of Legends' favor.
The strong performance at the Asian Games will highlight the viability of esports in multi-sport events. There has also been a trend in recent years for less traditional sports to be admitted to the Olympics. Surfing and skateboarding are added to Tokyo 2020, while breakdancing will debut in Paris in 2024.
However, Aletha also highlighted Riot's current mission when it comes to League of Legends esports.
“For now, we remain focused on delivering a great LoL Esports experience directly to our fans,” she said.
Los Angeles is set to host the 2028 Olympics and be the first potential esports debut.
Fans may have to wait a while before a potential esports Olympic debut, as Los Angeles 2028 will be the earliest Olympics the sport could appear at.
There is also a strong possibility that, as with the Asian Games, esports may first emerge as a showcase event and then achieve medal discipline status.
However, confirmation that esports as the Olympics is something big companies like Riot are working on will probably please many fans.
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