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Saturday, June 03 2006

Computer games an Olympic sport?  by James B at 17:26

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Here's an entertaining piece of news that almost slipped past us; CNN have a very interesting article up about gaming pushing to become an Olympic sport. Ted Owen runner of the Global Gaming League (GGL), is in talks with the Chinese government to bring competitive video gaming to the 2008 Games.

" 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."


So what do you think, should gaming be played as an Olympic sport? Let us know below!
Comments
malis
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03 June 2006 17:29
Not sure about this, gaming can require skill but feels a bit cheap.
Tricky
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03 June 2006 17:33
I read that the other day, I'm not convinced really. Fair point about younger viewers I guess.
Stan
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03 June 2006 17:53
Sport requires some sort of physical fitness, i am afraid computer gaming doesnt what so ever. I will eat my hat if it ends up in the olympics as it is, maybe in the future but i cant see it now.
hobgoblin
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03 June 2006 18:54
hmmmm interesting i can see it happening in the future i suppose but not as soon as the 2008 games
Undefined
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03 June 2006 20:39
Doubt it will ever happen. It will be broadcast on TV more and more whenever there's a big tourney but it'll never become an Olympic Sport in my opinion.
ralinn
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04 June 2006 12:39
I really hope it doesn't happen or I'll lose all faith in humanity.
Landen
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04 June 2006 12:44
Depends how you classify sport Stan, personally I like this definition; A "sport consists of a physical and mentally competitive activity carried out with a recreational purpose for competition, for self-enjoyment, to attain excellence, for the development of a skill, or some combination of these."

Under that definition gaming could definately be classified as Sport, but like I say its how you define Sport. I think gaming can be just as much of a sport as say Darts or Snooker. And it DOES require physical activite, just accute precise physical activity.
Landen
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04 June 2006 12:46
Like for example shooting or archery at the olympics. That doesnt tire you out like most people seem to think a Sport should, yet theyre definately Sports, why not Gaming?
shagnastie
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04 June 2006 13:53
should never be involved and imo it never will - can you imagine the american squad 14st 10yr old kids with these on there heads -


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