Intel Brings Esports To PyeongChang Ahead Of Olympics Games

Sasha “Scarlett” Hostyn defeats Kim “sOs” Yoo Jin to be crowned champion at the Intel Extreme Masters competition on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in PyeongChang, South Korea. (Credit: Intel/ESL)

Though there’s ground to cover before esports can become an Olympic sport, that doesn’t mean industry leaders aren’t trying. This past week, prior to the start of the Winter Games, Intel hosted the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) PyeongChang tournament.

Designed in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), 18 players competed for a $150,000 prize pool in the game ‘StarCraft II.’ Considered to be a “tryout” of sorts for esports’ future inclusion in the actual Games, IEM didn’t feature a massive crowd. Instead, given the small prep time (Intel sponsorship was announced in June), the event took place outside of the Olympic Park.

The competition concluded with an underdog winner — the lone woman qualifier, Canadian Sasha “Scarlett” Hostyn.

“So yes, we would have liked to have fans, have a venue, and have it all be inside the Olympic Park and everything,” Intel’s VP/General Manager of Esports & Gaming told Sports Business Daily. “It just wasn’t going to happen. That said, we’re broadcasting to a live audience, we’re watching the feeds and [asking ourselves] what’s the quality of the feedback?”

Online excitement was real surrounding the event, but some current Olympians weren’t as receptive. “Physical sports belong in the Olympics,” two-time Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety told Reuters. “I don’t think esports belong in the Olympics.”