I didn't make this, just stumbled across it and searches for Torch for gaming and olympic SC2 yielded nothing so here goes:

http://torchforgaming.org/

Whilst it's unlikely to really go anywhere IMO it's a nice gesture and the idea of Olympic level exposure is very appealing to people.

I discovered this in this forbes article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2012/08/15/league-of-legends-and-starcraft-ii-could-become-olympic-sports-as-early-as-2020-summer-games/

Regardless of your opinion on the matter, the forbes article is well worth a read

United States6173 Posts

August 29 2012 01:09 GMT

That Forbes article is actually pretty interesting. I'm extremely skeptical we'll see esports in the olympics for a long, long time, if ever, though. The article is still a good read, though, if you apply what the interviewee says to growth for esports in general, not just with regards to the olympics.

Enzymatic

Canada1301 Posts

August 29 2012 02:15 GMT

The thing is... Typically the Olympics are associated with "Physical" activity/sports, ie: requiring intensive physical training in order to prepare. eSports doesn't really fit that category.

Also, in order for this to happen, eSports such as SC2 and LoL would have to get a LOT more exposure to the point of being televised in other countries outside of Korea.

Do I hope this one day happens? Yes. Do I think its very realistic to even happen by 2020? Nope.

BronzeKnee

United States5213 Posts

August 29 2012 02:18 GMT

On August 29 2012 11:15 Enzymatic wrote:
The thing is... Typically the Olympics are associated with "Physical" activity/sports, ie: requiring intensive physical training in order to prepare. eSports doesn't really fit that category.

Take a look at Kimberly Rhodes: http://i.eurosport.com/2012/07/29/868343-14655826-640-360.jpg

Shooting a gun takes about the same physical training as using a mouse and keyboard...

Pretty sure shooting only made it into the Olympics because it is similar to Archery though, which at one time took a lot of strength to draw a bow. Today, bows have pulleys on them and are easier to draw.

Ace1123

Philippines1187 Posts

August 29 2012 02:20 GMT

I hope soon. But for example SC2 Will be in olympics in 2016, And we know it happens every 4 years. So at 2024, what game will it be? SC3 and for succeeding years, SC5? Just curious.

kalandra

Malaysia23 Posts

August 29 2012 02:32 GMT

Ace1123 post is a good reason why SC2 or most pc games will not go in the Olympic. Besides the fact the sports in Olympic are usually physical in nature, they are also very stable. Rules/format/scoring changes are rare for most of the sports in the Olympic. Imagine if football(soccer), basketball, hockey, volleyball etc etc had major rules changes every 4, 8 or 12 years, won't that be very confusing for long time viewers? If SC2 or any computer games want to be in something as prestigious as Olympic, it need to be very very stable.

neobowman

Canada3324 Posts

August 29 2012 02:37 GMT

I actually don't think E-sports is ready for olympics yet and the world in general isn't ready for Esports. There's still a lack of international organization that could figure this stuff out with the olympics. If one thing goes wrong, it'll be easy for anyone to start firing criticism at its inclusion. I think it would be better to wait until Esports is more universally recognized. Else we'll have millions saying "why the hell is playing a computer game an olympic sport".

HotGlueGun

United States1409 Posts

August 29 2012 02:39 GMT

On August 29 2012 11:18 BronzeKnee wrote:

Show nested quote +

Sorry, but basically every olympic event requires much more overall physical activity than SC2 by a long shot, even shooting.
http://www.issf-academy.com/courses/fundamentals-of-pistol.html

Also, the general public will have an overwhelmingly negative view of eSports if cyber athletes are put on the same pedestal as Olympian athletes.

Critter

United States196 Posts

August 29 2012 02:41 GMT

On August 29 2012 11:32 kalandra wrote:
Ace1123 post is a good reason why SC2 or most pc games will not go in the Olympic. Besides the fact the sports in Olympic are usually physical in nature, they are also very stable. Rules/format/scoring changes are rare for most of the sports in the Olympic. Imagine if football(soccer), basketball, hockey, volleyball etc etc had major rules changes every 4, 8 or 12 years, won't that be very confusing for long time viewers? If SC2 or any computer games want to be in something as prestigious as Olympic, it need to be very very stable.

While I see your point and agree, hockey (NHL specifically) has had several major rule changes (two line pass, lateral hits, the trapazoid, they're still considering no touch icing, etc). I still agree, though, that gaming will probably not catch on at an Olympic level, which just means we need to start an eSports Olympics!

Opeasy

107 Posts

August 29 2012 02:41 GMT

#10

There was a time when croquet was a part of the Olympic program, so maybe a little starcraft isnt that far fetched! I vote YES! Although South Korea is already taking a fair share of the medals (my god, that county got some great athletes). Since its mostly the county that organizes the Olympic that decides (afaik), our best hope would be for Seoul to arrange it, then we're half way there

dabom88

United States3483 Posts

August 29 2012 03:07 GMT

#11

Sorry, but no. Olympics are designed for physical sports, E-sports and Olympics just don't belong together. I don't look down upon E-sports, they're just two different things.

howLiN

Portugal1676 Posts

August 29 2012 03:13 GMT

#12

They'll never consider eSports as an official olympic sport played in summer olympics due to the fact that it's not a physical activity, that's why stuff like powerboating was excluded from the olympics not too long ago. Not to mention it has to be widely practiced in 75 countries spread across 4 continents for it to be an olympic sport.

TheFish7

United States2824 Posts

August 29 2012 03:13 GMT

#13

While it'd be really cool, one problem with E-sports in the Olympics is that the popular game of the day is always changing. I mean, four years ago there was no SC2 or LoL. In 100 years, who knows what the popular games might be? (maybe Starcraft 11, Counter-Strike: Ultimate and MOBA Game # 9,000 but probably not) It doesn't really fit with the timelessness of the Olympics.

mrtomjones

Canada4020 Posts

August 29 2012 03:17 GMT

#14

The issue with this is quite simple. It doesn't matter if we get 2million signatures, the old guard in the IOC will not allow gaming in there. Until a big change of personnel is made gaming wont stand a chance.

Akhee

Brazil811 Posts

August 29 2012 03:21 GMT

#15

too big of a jump

it would even be bad if it happened, take a step after another

kvn4444

1510 Posts

August 29 2012 03:24 GMT

#16

don't really like the idea even though i really enjoy watching sc2 esport events. doubt even kor would want pro gamers representing them in something like the olympics where the best human athletes are suppose to be on display.

Chairman Ray

United States11903 Posts

August 29 2012 03:25 GMT

#17

I wouldn't mind Tetris being in the olympics, but I certainly don't want sc2 or lol. Olympic events have to be timeless and fully understandable and appreciable by spectators who don't know the game.

Talack

Canada2742 Posts

August 29 2012 03:26 GMT

#18

Sorry but esports has no place in the olympics.

Iodem

United States1173 Posts

August 29 2012 03:27 GMT

#19

I'll be honest that I only want to see this happen to see how the North Koreans compare to their Southern counterparts in Starcraft.

Otherwise, I'd say no. The rules aren't stable enough, SC2's rules aren't set in stone yet, and we've still got two more expansions to go before that. As for LoL... don't they come out with a new hero practically every week or something? I haven't played it in almost two years. Maybe a better solution would be to make older games olympic sports. Brood War, for example. The rules and balances to BW are set, and are extremely unlikely of changing. Tetris and Street Fighter 2 also come to mind. Just keep it to games that aren't ever going to change.