"I wish to play in the Olympic Games if eSports is added to the Olympic Games as an official medal sport."

‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok Lee, SK Telecom T1 League of Legends team superstar mid-laner, revealed his thoughts on eSports becoming an official medal sport of the Olympic Games.
Faker expressed his opinion on eSports becoming an official medal sport at the post-game interview with Daily eSports after League of Legends Champions Korea 2017 2nd Round Playoff on August 19th at OGN eStadium, which SKT reverse swept KT Rolster by 3-2.

Noting that he had read the news article that eSports might be added as an official medal sport at Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Faker stated that “if it does happen, it would be an event which completely reevaluates the status of gaming industry”.

However, Faker shared his honest opinion that “the current eSports still have certain limitations to become a part of the Olympic Games,” and that “if international events such as Rift Rivals expand in various aspects, the global eSports scene would someday be able to hold (League of Legends) Olympics”.
Nevertheless, Faker also alluded to represent Team Korea if the game does become a part of the Olympic Games. “I would like to play for Korea if League of Legends become an actual medal sport of the Olympic Games,” said Faker, “and in order for such things to happen in the future, there should be more events, and the industry should become more popular to the general public”.

The rumours about eSports becoming a part of the Olympics became the focus of the public attention, after the Associated Press’s interview with Tony Estanguet, co-president of the Paris Olympic bid committee, when he confirmed that he will “speak with the IOC and eSports representatives to assess the possibility of including eSports in the official Paris Olympic 2024 program”.

Byung-hun Jun, Senior Secretary to the President for Political Affairs and President of the International e-Sports Federation, also revealed his remarks on personal social media that he will “make greater efforts for eSports, which is loved by youths, and also one of the fastest-growing industries around the globe, to become a part of the Olympic program, to infuse a new and young energy to the Olympics."


Translated by ROXCrew.
*This translation was provided through a partnership with the ROXGAMING.