The decision was made a year after signing a 12-year agreement with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the termination of its cooperation with Saudi Arabia in organizing the Olympic Esports Games.
In an official statement, the IOC emphasized that the parties "agreed to end cooperation on the Olympic Esports Games". At the same time, both organizations remain committed to the development of esports, but will move "in different ways".
Initially, the first Olympic Esports Games were planned in Riyadh in 2027 (postponed from 2025 due to organizational difficulties). The partnership was announced on the eve of the Paris 2024 Olympics, but raised questions due to the inclusion of shooters like Call of Duty and Counter-Strike in Saudi tournaments, which contradicts Olympic values, emphasizing the rejection of violence.
