Nicole W. Forrester’s article points to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) desire to include e-sports in the Olympic Games program in Paris in 2024. She mentions the opinions of various sports publications and experts who prove the inexpediency of this step. Its main arguments are gender inequality, questionable physical activity, and the financial basis for considering e-sports as an Olympic event.
Forrester begins by describing the research framework, focusing on a contentious issue. Moving from personal opinion, the author quotes sports magazines and associations and their views on esports. First of all, sport is defined as a type of physical activity in which a person makes efforts to achieve a result. One argument that is evident throughout the publication is the lack of muscle and morale involvement to accomplish the goal in e-sports. Besides, Forrester recognizes the growing interest in online gaming as a sport due to the regularity of training, advice from medical professionals to achieve results, and the sheer number of competitions. However, these factors also make board games and bowling worthy candidates for the Olympic Games. The author’s concluding argument is gender inequality in cybersports, where female players are sexually abused. Thus, the psychological markers of e-sports are not consistent with the IOC philosophy of equality, diversity, and mutual respect.
Forrester proves the argument about esports mismatch with the Olympic Games by analyzing the opinions of reliable sources. In particular, esports cannot be judged on a par with other activities due to insufficient involvement of muscle activity. Besides, one of the main interests of the IOC is to attract sponsorship partnerships due to the growth of the online gaming market. In this way, Forrester denies e-sports as a worthy candidate for the 2024 Olympics and its contradictions to a progressive and tolerant society.
Reference
Forrester, N. (2018). Why e-sports should not be in the Olympics.The Conversation. Web.