The International Olympic Committee has announced an unlikely supplement to its Olympic Virtual Series. With the FIA being one of five sporting federations the IOC is partnering with, Gran Turismo is being featured in a virtual Olympic event.
Specific details are yet to be made available by the IOC but the events are due to take place from 13th May through 23rd June, ahead of this year’s Tokyo Olympic Games. The goal is to bring the Olympics to a younger digital-focussed audience. Though slightly left-of-field in an Olympic context, Gran Turismo has developed a thriving and dedicated e sports following and competitive roster.
Alongside the FIA partnership and Gran Turismo, the IOC is partnering with the World Baseball Softball Confederation, World Rowing Organisation, Union Cycliste Internationale and the World Sailing Organization. The latter three certainly sound a bit more traditionally ‘Olympic’ to us. Now, virtual motorsport will also be joining the ranks.
Have that, parents who told us playing games was a waste of time. Little did they know that wasted time could have been cultivating a Gran Turismo gold medalist.
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