The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that they will not recognise any world-governing body for esports. Detailed in a letter, and reported by The Esports Observer, this announcement is set to apply to both Summer and Winter federations.
The statement comes after Tencent created the Global Esports Federation (GEF) designed to be the voice of authority for esports across the globe. The IOC, however, has warned organisations to not join the GEF should they want a shot at bringing esports to the Olympic stage.
The other organisation looking to achieve the same goals, the International eSports Federation (IeSF) is still in the IOC's good books, as they are looking to grow esports on a global stage, even attempting to work with the IOC. The GEF however, are looking to add IOC members to their organisation, something of which did not sit right with the IOC.
Whichever way this unusual situation ends up playing out, esports in the Olympics do still seem to be significantly far away.
