Do you have what it takes to be a Virtual Olympian?

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Which sim/game do you think the IOC should use in any future Olympic Virtual Series?

  • Total voters
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Ahead of the delayed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the International Olympic Committee has celebrated the start of its inaugural Olympic Virtual Series.

Last month the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that motorsport would feature alongside four other sports, in the first ever Olympic Virtual Series (OVS). The IOC has partnered with the FIA to hold an Olympic-licenced championship run exclusively on Gran Turismo Sport. Qualifications for next month's World Final began this week, and will come to a close on the 23rd of May.

The World Finals for the OVS are scheduled for the 23rd of June 2021, with IOC President Thomas Bach describing their goal as being to use virtual sport as a means to engage new Olympic audiences:

“The Olympic Virtual Series is a new, unique Olympic digital experience that aims to grow direct engagement with new audiences in the field of virtual sports.​
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"It encourages sports participation and promotes the Olympic values, with a special focus on youth.”​
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The format of the finals is yet to be confirmed, however the nature of the qualification stage ensures that 16 different countries/territories from at least 5 continents will be represented in the finals. Qualifications are open to anyone over the age of 18 from within the 'Sport' mode of GT Sport. More details about eligibility and selection can be found on the Gran Turismo page about the championship.
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It will no doubt disappoint the vast majority of sim racers, that this year's championship will be run exclusively on Gran Turismo Sport. However, considering the IOC's understandable preference of partnering with an International Federation (IF), it does make sense that for the first year this is their chosen platform. After all, the FIA has previously certified the 'Gran Turismo Championships' which have taken place since 2018.

While this year's Olympic Virtual Series is relatively small, the IOC Sports Director, Kit McConnell has already indicated that should the inaugural series prove successful, they "will look to probably expand if [they] are given the opportunity in the future". This is supported by positive developments the IOC has seen with other IFs:

"Building on the success of their respective events, both the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), along with other International Federations such as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and World Taekwondo (WT) have confirmed their excitement and commitment to exploring inclusion in future editions of the OVS."​
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From the sound of things, it could well be that the OVS is here to stay. If so, hopefully it will be in a position to expand such that a much wider platform can be offered to the virtual motorsport world. Not only would this provide opportunities to a wider demographic of the sim racing community, but also further the IOC's efforts to encourage sports participation and engage new audiences.

In recent years, the sim racing world has enjoyed greater exposure than ever before. To see an Olympic-certified series come to fruition is yet another exciting milestone for us to enjoy. Unfortunately, as someone without a PS4, I don't have what it takes to become a Virtual Olympian. We'll pretend it's not the lack of talent that is the real obstacle...

Now over to you, what direction (if any) would you like to see an Olympic virtual motorsport series go in the future?
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About author
Charlie Lockwood
Charlie Lockwood
23. Motorsport and Sim Racing enthusiast.

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B
Kingkoenig said:
I don't want to get into the debate of what is a sport or not. But at least, curling and shooting are done with *real* rocks and *real* guns. Simracing is not real (hence the word sim): it's people sitting in front of a monitor in their jeans and t-shirts. That's where I would draw the line. What's the point of watching sim cars? The point of simracing to me is doing the racing yourself, not watching someone else.

As to why they chose simracing: it's a lot cheaper. Also, this is obviously a move to get young viewers over old farts like me! ;)
Click to expand...
"it's people sitting in front of a monitor in their jeans and t-shirts. "

I'm afraid this guy would disagree:

If I had the money, I would go all the way like he did.
It is still way cheaper than owning and maintaining a go kart.
 
K
bozakn said:
"it's people sitting in front of a monitor in their jeans and t-shirts. "

I'm afraid this guy would disagree:

If I had the money, I would go all the way like he did.
It is still way cheaper than owning and maintaining a go kart.
Click to expand...
I wonder what sim he's using to race in Monaco. Assetto Corsa?
 
mantasisg
bozakn said:
I was thinking just the same the other day.
When ISI was at the helm, this was the only true hard core commercial sim on the market.
I'm thankful for what Studio397 has done, mainly in the VR department.
But regarding the vintage content, all is lost. Apart from the historic Mclarens, we got nothing.
Nothing beats the EVE F1/ Belgium 1966 combo, made by ISI.
Click to expand...

I agree, content that ISI was on about was much more enthusiastic and interesting. Variety, all types of cars and tracks...

But the point about ISI is not even that. The point is that they had the know-how. They knew how to build it all from scratch, most noticeably physics engine, they understood how cars work and did rather well to simulate each (although I have a few cars from them, that I'd debate how realistic they are, but underlying physics is just simply very good).

Then S397 - did nothing for physics at all (thankfully didn't ruin anything either, I guess). The cars they build aren't bad, but not too great either. They have also proved to have not the strongest quality control, probably beta-testers beta-male motherly-loving supporters who can not criticize, which is literally their job. Physics files encrypted, which makes it harder to understand how cars physics are built, as well as for modders to keep up. Also they proved to be non-flexible to react sharply and efficiently to fix/update stuff properly in terms of physics, often plugging in numerous small updates, instead doing full blown update for all aspects, delaying for months and they didn't even mess with tires, which should have been improved a long time ago...

It is weird. Not Olympic spirit at all.
 
B
mantasisg said:
I agree, content that ISI was on about was much more enthusiastic and interesting. Variety, all types of cars and tracks...

But the point about ISI is not even that. The point is that they had the know-how. They knew how to build it all from scratch, most noticeably physics engine, they understood how cars work and did rather well to simulate each (although I have a few cars from them, that I'd debate how realistic they are, but underlying physics is just simply very good).

Then S397 - did nothing for physics at all (thankfully didn't ruin anything either, I guess). The cars they build aren't bad, but not too great either. They have also proved to have not the strongest quality control, probably beta-testers beta-male motherly-loving supporters who can not criticize, which is literally their job. Physics files encrypted, which makes it harder to understand how cars physics are built, as well as for modders to keep up. Also they proved to be non-flexible to react sharply and efficiently to fix/update stuff properly in terms of physics, often plugging in numerous small updates, instead doing full blown update for all aspects, delaying for months and they didn't even mess with tires, which should have been improved a long time ago...

It is weird. Not Olympic spirit at all.
Click to expand...
I also find it hard to comprehend that ISI's Spa 1966 is better than most of the laser scanned content that came afterwards.
The road feel is just phenomenal, I don't know how they did it without LIDAR data. At some points of the track my wheel just wants to break my arms.
 
Jim Layee
There's many other Olympiad events besides the ones you see every 4 years. So best educate yourselves before you go wittering on about 'athletic endeavor' etc .
 
R
CC said:
What my main problem is with it what everyone here seems to be completely missing is the fact what the Olympics actually stands for itself it’s equality not to discriminate to allow everyone equal opportunity no matter the race or gender to fair sportsmanship,
I feel quite offended they choose a Olympics system to discriminate everyone by choosing to only use PlayStation it’s a paywall pay to play it’s not fair game and I do not feel it stands for the fundamental Olympic traditions of equality for everyone,

Choosing iracing is the same issue or any PC related title like rFactor 2,
Like I mentioned in a previous post the most logical sense was ACC
It’s available on all platforms it gives everyone a fair chance and a equal playing field,

would you like it if they suddenly started disallowing woman from certain sporting Olympic events or based on your skin colour ?
Sorry but I see 0 difference here at all,
Simple discrimination at best.
olympics.com

IOC Statement on gender equality in the Olympic Movement - Olympic News

Inclusion, diversity and gender equality are integral components of the work of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
olympics.com olympics.com
Click to expand...
I mean it's not like motorsports has a huge barrier to entry related to money is it? I can't imagine that sort of thing existing... ;-)
 
Paul McCluskey
It's been one of the most popular virtual sports since the lockdown so i see no reason why it's not in there, my problem is the cars they will use, please not the red bull competition car.
 
R
I think this is being misinterpreted, partly due to some places (not RD in this instance) going a bit too clickbaity on the headlines. Sim racing isn't being added to the Olympics, it is being added to the Olympic Virtual Series. I don't think it would be quite correct to call the competitors Olympians, in the same way that the people who participate in F1 Esports are not F1 drivers.

In terms of choice of game/sim, GT Sport is the only real option: it is the only one with a license from the FIA. Yes it is platform specific, but to an extent so is everything. Ok ACC might be on Xbox and Playstation as well as PC but that still doesn't cover everyone. So naturally it is logical that the IOC go for the one with the official backing of the governing body.
 
K
RandomMallard said:
I think this is being misinterpreted, partly due to some places (not RD in this instance) going a bit too clickbaity on the headlines. Sim racing isn't being added to the Olympics, it is being added to the Olympic Virtual Series. I don't think it would be quite correct to call the competitors Olympians, in the same way that the people who participate in F1 Esports are not F1 drivers.
Click to expand...
Yes, my reaction was really based on the use of the word "Olympians", as if video games were sports... I see more and more video games on TV networks dedicated to sports and each time, I ask myself: what's the point of watching that stuff?

Oh well, I guess I'm just getting old! :D
 
stickdeath1980
Props cop some flack for this But name any Racing game that had such a impact on society like GT has...I'm all for GT there makes sense because it's at Japan.But i'm a Sim racer that enjoy's every form a Racing and got to give it to GT because there Player base is propley 10000000% bigger than any sim we play.
 
R
stickdeath1980 said:
Props cop some flack for this But name any Racing game that had such a impact on society like GT has...I'm all for GT there makes sense because it's at Japan.But i'm a Sim racer that enjoy's every form a Racing and got to give it to GT because there Player base is propley 10000000% bigger than any sim we play.
Click to expand...
Agree with this as well. How many sim racers, or even just racing fans in general, got into it from the old GT games. Throw in the official FIA license, the huge player base and the Japanese backing and you have the perfect game for a Japanese-based event.
 
Mr Deap
When I was young, probably. I used to play a lot.

Right now it's semi casual. It's more fun to critic what simracing is about. So many things are wrong including the creators.
 
mantasisg
bozakn said:
I also find it hard to comprehend that ISI's Spa 1966 is better than most of the laser scanned content that came afterwards.
The road feel is just phenomenal, I don't know how they did it without LIDAR data. At some points of the track my wheel just wants to break my arms.
Click to expand...

It sounds you really like it. I personally find its road too bumpy, hard to comprehend them pushing the cars to the limit in the straight from malmedy towards masta. I just don't believe real cars would have survived that harshness. Also I have a strong suspicion that eau rouge to radillon is too slow there. But anyway, I don't even know why I say it. I am too nit picky, who cares lol, just jump in and drive and stop thinking about things like everybody does.
 
eSTee3
Not a fan of video games being in the olympics, but if sim racing is one of them... PLEASE no more GT3/GT4 racing. I'm so done with seeing it everywhere. Give us some crazy non-standard racing like some of what's in AMS2 or AC or RF2. Just please no more ACC.... like... ever...
 
Bobby Pennington
For me, the Olympics are about superior athletic performance and the grit it takes to get there. I love sim racing, but imo, I don't think it belongs. I play, well used to play golf before illness, at a high level. When golf was introduced to the Olympics, I had the same opinion about that. Takes a lot of talent, but not the super human stuff I see the Olympians perform. Plus it's real world, real conditions.


I like the idea of putting something different on display for the world to see and I think this is what the IOC should have done with Sim Racing. Sure what we do takes talent and the really good men and women plus the Aliens are off the charts with their level of eye hand coordination, but not it's just not Olympic level toll on the human body that the other sports are, sorry.

I didn't vote for a sim because my opinion is very, very biased. I'll say that GT Sport was a logical choice seeing how it's a Japanese company and Japan is hosting. For Sim Racing, this is a win no matter what sim they chose to use.


Zuffenhausen Weiss said:
Why? Is it that you don't like the idea of China hosting a Winter Olympics? Is it because you expect the world revolve around the west?
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I can't speak for @Kingkoenig , but for me it's a simple human rights issue. As an American, it really upset me that Bill Clinton pushed so hard for China to be included in the WTO. Can you say Wal Mart? Yep, headquarters in Arkansas where Bill was governor for 5 years and a big supporter of Clinton. Sam Walton is rolling over in his grave.
 
Z
Bobby Pennington said:
I can't speak for @Kingkoenig , but for me it's a simple human rights issue. As an American, it really upset me that Bill Clinton pushed so hard for China to be included in the WTO. Can you say Wal Mart? Yep, headquarters in Arkansas where Bill was governor for 5 years and a big supporter of Clinton. Sam Walton is rolling over in his grave.
Click to expand...
You read into too much of this news BS. This has been debunked over and over again but what human rights? Speaking about human rights, what about the list of human right abuses of your country with non-whites. Tell us about going to other countries to colonize them your way.
 
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