The Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation officially recognized competitive video gaming (known as “eSports,” or “computer sports” in Russian) as a sport. The decision, published on June 3, will take effect on July 18, 2016.
eSports will now benefit from support from the federal government while cyber-athletes will be able to receive such official titles as “Master of Sports of Russia,” “International Master of Sports” and “Honored Master of Sports of Russia.”
The ministry did not specify, however, what kinds of eSports the government plans to oversee in an official capacity.
eSports were already recognized officially in Russia starting from 2001, before being excluded from the list by the government in 2006 for failing to meet certain requirements.
Earlier this year, the International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) submitted to International Olympic Committee (IOC) an “Official Letter of Request” to make its first action to attain the recognition. In its answer, the IOC presented to the IeSF a road map for the integration of eSports into future Olympic Games.
On April 20, 2016, the International Olympic Committee presented the International eSports Federation with road map for the integration of eSports into future Olympic Games. eSports may be included in the Olympics starting in 2020.
Last year USM, an investment company controlled by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, announced an investment of at least $100 million in e-Sports platform Virtus.pro. Launched in 2003, this popular resource organizes multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players.
Sources: TJournal.ru, ESPN.
