How to watch (or join!) the Olympic Virtual Series games

Students work in the control room during an esports match in Boise, Idaho, on Thursday, March 4, 2021. | Associated Press

For the first time ever, the Olympics is hosting a series of virtual games. Here’s everything you need to know to join or watch the games.

For the first time ever, the Olympics will include a special series of competitions for virtual versions of physical sports — the Olympic Virtual Series (OVS). People worldwide are invited to join or watch the events, says the Olympic Channel.

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the new initiative in April, says The Verge.

The OVS kicked off qualification competitions on May 13 and will conclude with worldwide finals on June 23, Olympic Day, according to the Olympic Channel.

• The traditional Olympic events will kick off in Tokyo on July 23 after being delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Deseret News reports.

What is the Olympic Virtual Series?

The OVS includes five virtual sporting events: motorsports, sailing, baseball, rowing and cycling. These are not medalled events, according to The Verge. The prizes for winners remain unclear.

• This lineup differs from video game esports, like ‘League of Legends’ or ‘Overwatch.’ Instead, the IOC chose to focus on virtual versions of physical sports, reports The Verge.

Two OVS events — rowing and cycling — require participants to use physical equipment, says The Verge. The other three events are fully virtual.

How can you watch (or join!) the virtual series?

So far, two virtual sports have finished their qualification rounds:

• Virtual Motorsports on the Gran Turismo have already finished their qualification rounds, says the Olympic Channel. The top 16 competitors will compete on Olympic Day in a final race broadcast live.
• Virtual Baseball qualifications have finished. The top 11 competitors from the Baseball Tournament and top eight competitors from the Home Run Derby will compete in a live final on June 23, says the Olympic Channel.

Three virtual sports remain open for participation:

• Virtual Cycling focuses on mass participation throughout the month of June. Anyone can join at any point for weekly workouts, group rides, and competitive chase rides on Zwift, says the Olympic Channel. The month culminates with live coverage of a final chase ride on June 18 and live coverage of a 24-hour ride on Olympic Day.
• Virtual Rowing welcomes participants to collectively row from Rio de Janeiro to Tokyo in a three-week-long competition, says the Olympic Channel. Rowers can join anytime on the web app and support the charitable cause, the Olympic Refuge Foundation, providing support for displaced youth through sports.
• Virtual Sailing involves Offshore events and Inshore events on Virtual Regatta, according to the Olympic Channel. The main Offshore event — sailing from Rio to Tokyo — already launched as did one Inshore event, the Laser. However, participants can still compete in the Inshore 49er event until June 5 and the Inshore Nacra17 event until June 19.

All final events on June 23 Olympic Day will be broadcast live, according to and viewable on the Olympic Channel.

What’s the future of the Olympic Virtual Series?

The IOC has indicated that virtual sports will have a growing role in the Olympics, reports The Verge. Although far from confirmed, virtual versions of physical sports could become medalled events as early as the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

• According to The Verge, the IOC plans to keep in contact with esports and esports players, including developing further support resources like those available to traditional athletes.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/2Rj2FJN