The rise of esports has many wondering if it will soon apply for and receive Olympic inclusion.
Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, the world chess champion since 2013, believes his trade deserves priority.
“Chess has centuries, even millenia of history, which esports, obviously, they don’t,” Carlsen said by phone after competing in the Champions Showdown at the Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. “Personally, for me, it wouldn’t make sense [for esports to get in the Olympics first].”
The first step to being added to the Olympics is having an international governing body recognized by the International Olympic Committee.