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Esports in the Olympics

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AmateurPilgrim
Posts: 286 - Karma: 2,666
I paticipate in the minnesotan Highschool debate league and this weekend someone proper a bill in congressional for esports to be added to the olympics. I personally don't play sports and didn't really have an opinion so I just listened to what other speakers had to say. Some of the biggest negations entailed that; The older generation wouldn't understand it, It was to new a sport to be inducted, it wasn't a real sport, it wouldn't be fair to every country, it wasn't competitive, it televised or well-known enough, no one knows professional gamers. What I found most interesting was that a lot of these complaints were the exact same from people unhappy about slopestyle skiing being added to the olympics in 2014. What do you think, should e-sports be added, why or why not?
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Nov 8 2015 5:45PM
75 5
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270on420out
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 50,836
Definiton of sport: An activity involving PHYSICAL EXERTION and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
Nov 8 2015 5:48PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7281 - Karma: 33,456
Lets keep the Olympics physical tasks.
Nov 8 2015 5:54PM
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Felice
Posts: 253 - Karma: 19
i think fart-blowing should be an olympic sport
Nov 8 2015 5:57PM
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Satan666
Posts: 139 - Karma: 21
what the fuck is an esport
Nov 8 2015 6:06PM
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broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,659
facedownassupi think fart-blowing should be an olympic sport


You can't just add sports to the Olympics just because that's the one thing you're good at
Nov 8 2015 8:20PM
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CHORIZO
Posts: 2003 - Karma: 10,039
if can be 300lbs of pure fat and "play" in the olympics, you dont belong in the olympics
Nov 8 2015 8:26PM
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Felice
Posts: 253 - Karma: 19
brotoYou can't just add sports to the Olympics just because that's the one thing you're good at


this is in reference to your mother playing the Rusty Trombone
Nov 8 2015 8:27PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,500
As someone who played super smash bros competitively when I was younger it's definitely challenging.

But it deserves its own competition it has nothing to do with actual olympic sports. X games are a bit of a stretch. Olympics? I bet it'll happen one day to get ratings up, but it has no place there in my opinion.

The input on the controller is next level https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/792786/Melee---How-fast-is-Armada-
Nov 8 2015 9:04PM
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CHORIZO
Posts: 2003 - Karma: 10,039
nocturnalAs someone who played super smash bros competitively when I was younger it's definitely challenging.

But it deserves its own competition it has nothing to do with actual olympic sports. X games are a bit of a stretch. Olympics? I bet it'll happen one day to get ratings up, but it has no place there in my opinion.

The input on the controller is next level https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/792786/Melee---How-fast-is-Armada-


I bet you played with kirby
Nov 8 2015 11:11PM
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Turner.
Posts: 1986 - Karma: 11,881
They used to have Olympic competitions in art, so the argument that the games need to be only physical isn't totally airtight. Been over half a century since they got rid of em though, so like..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_competitions_at_the_Summer_Olympics

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/when-the-olympics-gave-out-medals-for-art-6878965/?no-ist
Nov 9 2015 5:36AM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,474
Lol "esport". Nice try nerds its not a fucking sport
Nov 9 2015 7:27AM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,500
CHORIZOI bet you played with kirby


Fox Yoshi and Game and Watch.
Nov 9 2015 9:16AM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 36720 - Karma: 110,959
No. From a ratings standpoint, the general populace that watches the Olympics has no idea that people make livings competing in these certain sports, let alone actually competing in them. They're fascinated by things they don't imagine themselves doing, just about anyone can imagine themselves sitting down and playing xbox nowadays almost, it just seems dull compared to the other events and even if they did an online live stream like the X-Games, no ones going to watch. There were medal events last games (summer and winter) that barely anyone watched during primetime hours, not a whole lot of people are going to actively seek out livestreams of the south Korean LoL team tearing up shit, lets be real here.

It will probably get added though. Money talks and bullshit walks, someones going to pour a buttload of money into getting the IOC turned onto computer sports and you'll be able to get an Olympic Gold Medal from winning a match of COD. What a time to be alive.

Don't mind me, though. Im just a salty unskilled boob because I think its dumb people can make lifetimes of earnings playing childrens activities, but that's just me.
Nov 9 2015 11:23AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
I'm pretty sure the IOC refuses to add any kind of Motorsport to the Olympics. So yeah I doubt esports will be added.
Nov 9 2015 11:29AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
NinetyFourI'm pretty sure the IOC refuses to add any kind of Motorsport to the Olympics. So yeah I doubt esports will be added.


Because it takes a motor to power the computer. I see your logic.
Nov 9 2015 11:33AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
theBearJewBecause it takes a motor to power the computer. I see your logic.


Aha this is why I'm not in a debate club. But yeah I personally think that a lot of motorsports are physically demanding while esports aren't. So if the IOC refuses to add motorsports on the basis of them not being physically demanding, then I don't see how they could even begin to consider esports.
Nov 9 2015 11:39AM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9210 - Karma: 5,357
At least you can quantify victory in games and it's not subjective like many other Olympic sports.
Nov 9 2015 12:03PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,500
NinetyFourAha this is why I'm not in a debate club. But yeah I personally think that a lot of motorsports are physically demanding while esports aren't. So if the IOC refuses to add motorsports on the basis of them not being physically demanding, then I don't see how they could even begin to consider esports.


Horses the original car.......
Nov 9 2015 12:48PM
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arnie_grape
Posts: 3438 - Karma: 11,465
they removed wresting, an original olympic sport and now they want video games?

"Some of the biggest negations entailed that; The older generation wouldn't understand it"

as a person of the younger generation I'd like to say that sitting in a rocking chair with speakers and eating doritos isn't a fucking sport and I don't understand it either.

yeah video games are fun, and you can call it a sport if you want but it doesn't make it true. video games are as much as sport as race cars, poker, and colouring.
Nov 9 2015 12:56PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51293 - Karma: 157,939
Well, Im not a big fan of the olympics anyway, but this would just be stupid.

Host your own, world wide gaming tournament.

Also video games are not sports.
Nov 9 2015 12:57PM
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Deepskier
Posts: 3267 - Karma: 4,825
When will people learn a hobby is not a sport
Nov 9 2015 11:33PM
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bardissono
Posts: 443 - Karma: 213
There is such a different dynamic in esports. The participants are risking nothing physical except maybe some carpal tunnel issues. It is disrespectful to put video games in the same category as other sports (especially action sports). I know it requires skill, etc but just have your own tournaments.
Nov 10 2015 1:58AM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
Does anyone follow the E-sports world scene right now? From what I've seen, pretty much all the nations send their best teams to get absolutely crushed by the Koreans and the Chinese in finals. The eastern servers are at such a higher level of play that the North and South Americans actually pay to live in Asia for parts of the year just to practice for finals. The play style is so lopsided that I'd be surprised to see it inducted for that reason alone. Besides, watching those pale, scrawny, acne-ridden guys stand on a podium holding their hands over their hearts would make the Olympic gods shit in their pants.

I love online gaming, don't get me wrong, and the world finals for a lot of multiplayer games get really fucking hyphy, but there is a time and a place for everything, and the Olympics is not the stage for them. Furthermore, 80% of the attendees would have no fucking clue what's going on at that level of video game play. Finally, how could they ever decide which game(s) would be selected for the entire world to compete on without infringing on their strict no advertisement rule? The whole idea sounds wonky.
Nov 10 2015 6:02AM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,500
Toaster-TonyDoes anyone follow the E-sports world scene right now? From what I've seen, pretty much all the nations send their best teams to get absolutely crushed by the Koreans and the Chinese in finals. The eastern servers are at such a higher level of play that the North and South Americans actually pay to live in Asia for parts of the year just to practice for finals. The play style is so lopsided that I'd be surprised to see it inducted for that reason alone. Besides, watching those pale, scrawny, acne-ridden guys stand on a podium holding their hands over their hearts would make the Olympic gods shit in their pants.

I love online gaming, don't get me wrong, and the world finals for a lot of multiplayer games get really fucking hyphy, but there is a time and a place for everything, and the Olympics is not the stage for them. Furthermore, 80% of the attendees would have no fucking clue what's going on at that level of video game play. Finally, how could they ever decide which game(s) would be selected for the entire world to compete on without infringing on their strict no advertisement rule? The whole idea sounds wonky.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/793180/The-Celebrity-Millionaires-of-Competitive-Gaming--Full-Length-
Nov 10 2015 9:49AM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,500
Toaster-TonyDoes anyone follow the E-sports world scene right now? From what I've seen, pretty much all the nations send their best teams to get absolutely crushed by the Koreans and the Chinese in finals. The eastern servers are at such a higher level of play that the North and South Americans actually pay to live in Asia for parts of the year just to practice for finals. The play style is so lopsided that I'd be surprised to see it inducted for that reason alone. Besides, watching those pale, scrawny, acne-ridden guys stand on a podium holding their hands over their hearts would make the Olympic gods shit in their pants.

I love online gaming, don't get me wrong, and the world finals for a lot of multiplayer games get really fucking hyphy, but there is a time and a place for everything, and the Olympics is not the stage for them. Furthermore, 80% of the attendees would have no fucking clue what's going on at that level of video game play. Finally, how could they ever decide which game(s) would be selected for the entire world to compete on without infringing on their strict no advertisement rule? The whole idea sounds wonky.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/793180/The-Celebrity-Millionaires-of-Competitive-Gaming--Full-Length-
Nov 10 2015 9:49AM
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skittiti
Posts: 172 - Karma: 434
read the title as "escorts in the olympics," was expecting a much different thread.....
Nov 10 2015 9:55AM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
nocturnalhttps://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/793180/The-Celebrity-Millionaires-of-Competitive-Gaming--Full-Length-


I watch and play a lot of league. I understand how many people participate... but my point still stands. No matter how big, it's still a niche audience and I feel that the olympics is completely the wrong venue. We already have the world tournament that you showed in the video, where people can congregate, dress up, fan out, and compete. You just wouldn't get that same atmosphere in the olympics and I think the entire scene would be wildly misunderstood. Esports is its own industry with its own venues because it allows for turnouts like what happened at worlds this year with the largest attendance yet.

Plus, have you forgotten that a majority of the powerhouse teams come from the same countries? So teams that would normally battle each other for the worlds title would now consolidate making an even better team for the olympics- the games would be a blowout. I could keep going but I won't. It just doesn't fit Olympic criteria.
Nov 10 2015 4:26PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,500
Toaster-TonyI watch and play a lot of league. I understand how many people participate... but my point still stands. No matter how big, it's still a niche audience and I feel that the olympics is completely the wrong venue. We already have the world tournament that you showed in the video, where people can congregate, dress up, fan out, and compete. You just wouldn't get that same atmosphere in the olympics and I think the entire scene would be wildly misunderstood. Esports is its own industry with its own venues because it allows for turnouts like what happened at worlds this year with the largest attendance yet.

Plus, have you forgotten that a majority of the powerhouse teams come from the same countries? So teams that would normally battle each other for the worlds title would now consolidate making an even better team for the olympics- the games would be a blowout. I could keep going but I won't. It just doesn't fit Olympic criteria.


I wasn't agreeing or disagreeing Idk anything about lol, I watch that video though and thought i would share it.
Nov 10 2015 4:29PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
Toaster-TonyI watch and play a lot of league. I understand how many people participate... but my point still stands. No matter how big, it's still a niche audience and I feel that the olympics is completely the wrong venue. We already have the world tournament that you showed in the video, where people can congregate, dress up, fan out, and compete. You just wouldn't get that same atmosphere in the olympics and I think the entire scene would be wildly misunderstood. Esports is its own industry with its own venues because it allows for turnouts like what happened at worlds this year with the largest attendance yet.

Plus, have you forgotten that a majority of the powerhouse teams come from the same countries? So teams that would normally battle each other for the worlds title would now consolidate making an even better team for the olympics- the games would be a blowout. I could keep going but I won't. It just doesn't fit Olympic criteria.


Fuck it, since this is for a debate I'll go on... In an Olympic event, you get a week or two window for team disciplines; world's has an entire month dedicated to narrowing it down to two teams. Each game takes around 30-60 minutes with champ select, timeouts, and commentary. Throw in commercials that the olympics need for funding and excerpts of other events going on and you simply wouldn't come close to the given time slot. In order to compensate, game series would probably need to be shortened which would ruin the integrity of the game and again make worlds a more appropriate stage since you could rotate bans more fairly. IMO you need at least a 3 or 5 game series to see who the best team is because you could potentially be playing a different champ every game.

Next not all countries have the same resources to play, server speed has a ton to do with how effectively you can practice at the pro level- it wasn't just until recently that the Midwest got an upgraded server to make the constant server lag a non-issue... I can't imagine what it would be like to play in a scarcely populated area. The game population is massive, I understand, but for the previous reasons a majority come from the same region which always proves to be problematic in the olympics.
Nov 10 2015 4:49PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,684
Turner.They used to have Olympic competitions in art


Fuck. I want to win a gold medal at fucking ARTZ... WHAT THE HELL IOC...
Nov 10 2015 4:52PM
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GreeenTea
Posts: 125 - Karma: 181
DeepskierWhen will people learn a hobby is not a sport


But sports are hobbies....
Nov 10 2015 6:33PM
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Deepskier
Posts: 3267 - Karma: 4,825
GreeenTeaBut sports are hobbies....


squares are rectangles but rectangles are not squares
Nov 10 2015 7:14PM
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DirtYStylE
Posts: 3635 - Karma: 8,774
Get ready to start calling it the Olamepics
Nov 10 2015 7:17PM
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