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A new study commissioned by Logitech G has found that a majority of young Australians believe esports should become an Olympic sport, which highlights a significant generational divide in attitudes towards competitive gaming.
According to a survey of 1,500 Australians, 59% of respondents aged 18 to 24 support the inclusion of esports in the Olympic Games. Across all age groups, however, support drops to 22%.
The divide becomes even more pronounced among older Australians, with support falling to 19% among those aged 45 to 54 and just 4.6% among those aged 55 and over.
Daniel Hall, Senior Category Manager at Logitech G ANZ, said the results reflected changing perceptions of what constitutes sport.
“The results of this study expose a clear generational divide in how Australians define sport and entertainment. While older generations might be sceptical of the comparison, the reality is that professional gamers are skilled cognitive athletes – they endure extensive multi-hour training schedules, require split-second reflexes and handle intense pressure just like a gymnast, sprinter or swimmer. As these findings show, differences between what could traditionally be called ‘sports’ and ‘entertainment’ are narrowing, with lines becoming increasingly blurred with each new generation.”
Esports has continued to gain recognition in recent years, with the International Olympic Committee announcing the inaugural Olympic Esports Games are scheduled to take place in 2027.
