When it comes to the Olympics, sports such as skiing, skating, swimming and running instantly come to mind. Video games do not. But Global Gaming League head Ted Owen wants to see that change. He’s pushing a campaign to get the “sport” introduced as a demonstration during the 2008 Olympics.
Owens is so serious about the idea, he’s entered into talks with the Chinese government about having video games included during the Beijing Olympics. Owens says the global appeal of gaming could make the inclusion the biggest thing since “snowboarding.”
From CNN:
People aren't watching [the Olympics] as much anymore," he argued. "You need to bring younger viewers back if you want to keep making money. To do that, you need to embrace non-traditional sports. They did it with snowboarding - and look how the popularity of that has surged in the Games. Video games deserve to be seen as a non-traditional sport. ... They would bring something to the Games that [that age group] engages in and everyone understands."
The idea sounds a little crazy, especially since baseball and fastpitch softball will get the Olympic boot after 2008. But, considering some of the oddness in the decisions made by the International Olympics Committee, who knows, video games might just make it.
And, even if the IOC, which does recognize chess and bridge as “sports,” doesn’t allow the exhibition, Owens said he’d go ahead if the Chinese government likes the idea.
If the IOC pushed back on us and we had the Chinese government approving us, we would do it anyway," he said. "We may not have the circles, but we'd do it right by the stadiums and would bask in the glow of the Olympic light. ... Everyone wants to watch the best at anything ... and it's time to let people see the best this field has to offer."
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