Is Esports a Sport? How Governing Bodies and Multi-Sport Events See It
Is esports a sport? See how federations, anti-doping rules, referees and multi-sport events such as the Asian Games treat competitive gaming as sport.
In official settings, esports is treated as a sport. It has international federations whose stated aim is to promote it as a legitimate sport, written competition rules enforced by referees, an anti-doping programme built on the World Anti-Doping Code, and medal events at the Asian Games. The International Olympic Committee has also voted to endorse the creation of Olympic Esports Games.
What Governing Bodies Say
- International Esports Federation (IESF). Founded in Seoul in 2008 as the first international esports federation, the IESF has its headquarters in Busan, South Korea. It describes its mission as promoting esports as a legitimate sport and setting global standards for competitive gaming.
- Global Esports Federation (GEF). The GEF describes itself as a voice for the worldwide esports movement and lists equality, fair play, diversity, inclusion and innovation as its values.
- Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF). The AESF states that the Olympic Council of Asia recognises it as the sole competent authority for esports in Asia.
The AESF also sets out what players gain from competing: logical thinking, quick reactions, hand-eye coordination and team spirit.
Rules and Referees
Esports championships run on written rules, and referees apply them.
Detailed rulebooks
IESF rulebooks cover team size, eligibility, match formats, tiebreakers, equipment and penalties. One IESF world championship rulebook for a five-a-side mobile title, for example, fixes the team at five players and one coach and decides group matches over a best-of-three series.
A ladder of penalties
IESF rulebooks use a four-step penalty system: caution, warning, forfeiture and expulsion. Two penalties at one level move a player or team up to the next. Offences that lead to expulsion include match-fixing, bribery, cheating and fraud.
A route for appeals
Under one set of IESF world championship regulations, a player who disputes a referee’s ruling first takes it to the event Jury. If still unsatisfied, the player can go to a Protest Deliberation Committee, and any remaining appeal is heard by the IESF Board.
A Code of Conduct
The IESF Code of Conduct reaches everyone involved in its events, from players and coaches to referees, staff, volunteers and fans. It expects good sportsmanship before, during and after a match, play within the rules and full effort in every game. Losing on purpose is not allowed.
The code also forbids cheating programs, hardware changes and the abuse of bugs, as well as any attempt to steer a result. Breaches can lead to a warning, disqualification, suspension or a lifetime ban.
Anti-Doping
Esports also has an anti-doping system. The IESF says it follows the World Anti-Doping Code and writes its anti-doping rules together with WADA.
In practice, any athlete at an IESF event may be tested. Each athlete is responsible for checking medicines and supplements against the WADA Prohibited List and should ask a doctor or the IESF when unsure. The IESF highlights stimulants, narcotics, cannabinoids and beta-blockers among the substance groups it watches. An athlete who needs a banned medicine for a medical reason must apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption, supported by a doctor’s records.
Esports at the Asian Games
According to the AESF, esports was introduced as a demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
Esports then became a medal event for the first time at the 19th Asian Games, held in Hangzhou. The AESF reports that seven gold medals were on offer across seven titles, and that 30 National Olympic Committees and 473 athletes took part, competing for 21 medals over 219 matches.
The IOC and Esports
The Olympic Movement has taken steps of its own. According to a news article published by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), the IOC held an Olympic Esports Week in Singapore. The article adds that the 142nd IOC Session, meeting in Paris, gave unanimous backing to a proposal from the IOC Executive Board to create Olympic Esports Games.
What the Record Shows
Esports has international and continental federations, written rules, referees and appeals, a code of conduct, testing under the World Anti-Doping Code, medal events at the Asian Games and an IOC Session vote endorsing Olympic Esports Games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is esports part of the Asian Games?
Yes, it has been. The AESF reports that esports was a demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and became a medal event for the first time at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Do esports players get drug tested?
They can be. The International Esports Federation follows the World Anti-Doping Code, and any athlete at its events may be tested and must check medicines and supplements against the WADA Prohibited List.
Has the IOC recognised esports?
The IOC held an Olympic Esports Week in Singapore, and the 142nd IOC Session in Paris unanimously endorsed a proposal to create Olympic Esports Games, according to a news article published by ANOC.
