The Olympics are moving into the virtual world!
The launch of the OVS, an acronym for Olympic Virtual Series, was announced this morning.
The OVS will begin on May 13 and run until June 23. The entire event will take place before the start of the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The International Olympic Committee worked with the FIA and the governing bodies of various categories to discuss the different disciplines to be included. Alongside disciplines such as baseball, cycling, rowing and sailing, the IOC also decided to include motorsport, choosing Gran Turismo as its reference platform.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The Olympic Virtual Series is a new and unique Olympic digital experience that aims to increase direct engagement with new audiences in the field of virtual sports.”
“Its conception is in line with Olympic Agenda 2020+5 and the IOC’s digital strategy. It encourages sports participation and promotes Olympic values, with a particular focus on young people.”
Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of Gran Turismo, said in one of his latest interviews with motorsport.com: “Everything we are doing must act as a driving force. We are not working to defeat motorsport, but to keep it alive and make it eternal.” It is therefore a way to attract an attentive and growing audience, such as the gaming community.
The Olympic Committee appears to share the same view and will enable virtual sports to gain even greater relevance and attention from investors, committees and gamers!
