In line with the International Olympic Committee's goal to "encourage the development of virtual sports and further engage with video gaming communities," the Olympics will be getting its first ever gaming series this year. Dubbed the Olympic Virtual Series, it will feature five virtual versions of Olympic sports in a separate event, which will take place before the actual Olympics kick off in July.

　　Sadly the Olympics hasn't included esports like DOTA or CS:GO on its roster, and many of the top-name sports sims are missing from the line-up as well. The event does include Konami's eBaseball Powerful Pro Baseball 2020 in collaboration with the World Baseball Softball Confederation, fitness app Zwift partnering with the Union Cycliste Internationale, and Virtual Regatta paired with World Sailing.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Firearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023

　　State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023How Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Saeko Mukoda Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Eric Tomizawa Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Tianyou Zhao Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Seonhee Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Koichi Adachi Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Yu Nanba Character Spotlight Trailer

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter

　　Now Playing: Gran Turismo 7 Gameplay | Sony PS5 Reveal Event

　　The biggest name on the list is Gran Turismo, who have partnered with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile for the competitive event. Also included is rowing, which is listed as "open format" instead of naming a publisher and a game, presumably meaning participants will just be using a standard rowing machine.

　　Unlike the Olympics we're used to watching, the Olympic Virtual Series is a "mass participation series" which will allow anyone to compete from home presuming they have the right software or equipment. The Gran Turismo event, for example, invites players to "Become the best racer in the virtual world and be crowned in the first ever Olympic Virtual Series!"

　　Details on how people can participate, enter, or just watch are still a little hazy, however. The announcement on the Olympic Channel says "all five OVS events will differ in form and concept and will operate via the sport's respective publisher platform," and that "additional information on how to participate, as well as prizes included with select events, will be announced in due course."

　　The Olympic Virtual Series is due to take place from May 13 through to June 23, finishing up a month ahead of the Olympic Opening Ceremony on July 23.