In our continuous efforts to advance Esports and explore its potential inclusion in the Olympic Games, Tiffani Lim, Chairperson of the IESF Athletes Committee, attended the Olympic Qualifier Series in Shanghai as our representative.
From May 15 to 19, the scenic Huangpu Riverside hosted the OQS, featuring four urban sports titles: breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing, and BMX freestyle. The primary objective of this visit was to observe and gather insights from the sports’ International Federations on how they managed their transition into the Olympic framework. This included understanding how these sports educated their athletes, managed expectations and addressed resistance from their respective communities. Many of these sports, previously associated with stereotypes similar to Esports, have now become respected and celebrated disciplines.
During the event, Tiffani had the honor of interviewing several key figures:
Natalia Sanchez, Safeguarding Officer of World Skate for the International Olympic Committee (IOC);
Jonatan Chinarro, Marketing Coordinator at the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF);
Sean McColl, Vice Chairperson of the Athletes Commission at the International Federation for Sport Climbing (IFSC).
Key takeaways from these interviews highlighted the importance of inclusivity, educating athletes, and engaging communities to reduce resistance toward sports federation structures and frameworks. Effective and transparent communication through the right channels was also emphasized. They advised embracing and highlighting the cultures and communities at the heart of the sport while preserving its history. For instance, at the OQS, families and individuals could try BMX cycling and rock climbing at interactive booths and learn about the history of skateboarding, helping to demystify and legitimize these sports.
“Witnessing the Olympic Qualifier Series fills me with hope that one day, Esports too will be accepted and celebrated globally as an Olympic sport,” stated Tiffani Lim
Tiffani’s journey through the OQS in Shanghai underscored the transformative power of sports and their impact on communities. As Esports looks toward the future, IESF hopes to carry forward these lessons to foster an inclusive and diverse environment for all athletes.
