For years, esports athletes have faced an uphill battle for recognition. Often dismissed as “just gamers” or “nerds,” these professionals are now gaining long-overdue respect as true athletes. With global tournaments drawing millions of viewers, multi-million-dollar sponsorships, and talks of Olympic inclusion heating up, the question isn’t if esports athletes deserve the title of “athlete” — it’s why it took so long.
What Makes an Athlete?
Traditionally, athletes are defined by their physical prowess, competitive drive, discipline, and training. The same can be said for esports athletes as they check all these boxes too:
- Training & Practice: Most elite players train 6–10 hours a day, refining reflexes, game sense, strategy, and communication—just like any traditional sport.
- Physical & Mental Stamina: Esports demands fast-twitch muscle control, reaction times faster than fighter pilots, and laser-sharp focus sustained over long competitions.
- Team Coordination & Communication: Multiplayer esports, like League of Legends or Valorant, require fluid communication and team synergy, rivaling the dynamics of sports like soccer or basketball.
- Nutrition & Fitness: More teams are hiring trainers, nutritionists, and psychologists to improve player wellness and performance, proving the holistic approach mirrors that of conventional sports.
Esports and the Olympic Movement
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already acknowledged the rise of esports.
In 2023, the IOC held the Olympic Esports Week, featuring games like Gran Turismo, Virtual Taekwondo, and Chess.com competitions. While these titles were more simulation-based, it marked an important step: esports is now on the radar of the world’s most prestigious sporting body.
Check out the highlights here.
The growth is continuing.
In July 2024, the IOC announced the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, with the inaugural event set to take place in 2027 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The decision was endorsed unanimously at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris marking a significant step toward esports and Olympic recognition.
“This is truly a new era for the IOC. With the confirmation of the Olympic Esports Games, we are keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution,” said Thomas Bach, IOC President, highlighting the growth of esports on the global stage. According to the announcement, the IOC’s partnership with the Saudi Arabian National Olympic Committee established a 12-year term, which underscores the Kingdom’s strong presence and expertise in the esports arena.
Read the full announcement here.
The Global Impact of Esports
- Viewership: Esports events routinely outpace viewership numbers of major traditional sporting events.
- Economy: The global esports market is projected to surpass $1.8 billion in 2025, with revenue streams from media rights, sponsorships, and merchandise.
- Youth Engagement: Esports resonates with Gen Z and Millennials, offering an exciting path to engage future generations in sport, teamwork, and discipline.
With esports gaining Olympic recognition, these professionals are indeed “athletes” — and are here to stay.
Mueller embraces esports arena
For more than 65 years, Mueller® Sports Medicine has prided itself on being at the forefront of innovation when it comes to keeping athletes of all ages and skills in the game.
At Mueller, we believe gamers are athletes, which is why we have the Mueller Esports Medicine protective support and equipment line.
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