Intel Announces Esports Tournament Ahead of 2020 Tokyo Olympics
As of this writing, the Olympic Committee still doesn’t value esports as something worthy of being in the athletic show of shows. We don’t agree, but we aren’t making the decisions. Intel, however, has a mighty esports tournament coming, the Intel World Open, right before the event. It features SF5 and Rocket League!
While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) isn’t holding Olympic level esports yet, that’s one of the goals it seems. Intel is working with the IOC. The aim is for the Intel World Open (IWO) to elevate esports, for audiences worldwide. Putting esports on a global stage alongside Olympic athletes is a serious business.
What’s the Deal?
The tournament format for the Intel World Open will start with online qualifiers in March and May. Players will compete to join their countries’ national teams, which is the closest we’ve seen in the West to Olympic level esports. From there, Katowice, Poland, will host a live qualifier in June to determine which teams head to Tokyo, for the finals.
But where will the major event be held? The Intel World Open Final Event will be hosted in the Zepp DiverCity in the central Olympic Games area from July 22-24. It’s not the first esports event from Intel that coincided with an Olympic event, either.
The Intel Extreme Masters PyeongChang tournament for Starcraft II, during the 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Pyeongchang, South Korea was the last one we can recall. This is a truly wonderful thing to see, with Street Fighter V and Rocket League played by the best in the entire world, as a lead-up to the Olympics.
Is This Important?
You bet it is! Right now, the common thought is that esports isn’t a real sport. It’s just a way for video game nerds to make money without having a real job. Esports is, slowly but surely, gaining traction. Middle schools, high schools and colleges are putting esports in their varsity sports stems.
It requires focus, practice, training. It’s not just “Oh, play Street Fighter in ranked and maybe get to Ultra Bronze.” It’s so much more. You must have a mind for the game and know matchups and frame data. You need to know everything your character can do and have the reaction time necessary to stand up to other players.
Knowing what you can do, can’t do, and how to make up for the lack in your game is important. You don’t have to jump or hit a ball the farthest, but it’s no less a sport. You must be mentally and physically fit to make it in esports. I think Intel is working to prove that to the IOC. This is the next step to having esports in the Olympics. Will it happen in this year’s events? No, it’s far too late.
But next Winter and Summer Olympic Games? If the Intel World Open is successful, and enough eyes are on it, I think it could be the “in” esports players and fans need. Stay tuned for wherever the matches are. Make your thoughts known! Tune in, tell your friends to tune in! It will take more than just viewers. The highest level of play possible will be shown to the IOC. All we can do is hope they’re paying attention to the world around them.
Esports is a sport. We’re hoping to see the next series of Olympic Games will feature esports in them.
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