Gran Turismo Is An Official Olympic Sport This Year
“Gran Turismo” – which will be representing motor sport – will be part of the inaugural Olympic Virtual Series (OVS) for this year’s Olympics in Tokyo as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will partner with five International Sports Federations (IFs) and game publishers to produce the Olympic Virtual Series – the first-ever, Olympic-licensed event for physical and non-physical virtual sports.
Taking place ahead of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the OVS will begin on May 13, 2021, and continue through to June 23, 2021.
The following International Federations and gaming publishers will be part of the Olympic Virtual Series:
– World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) – eBaseball Powerful Pro Baseball 2020, Konami Digital Entertainment
– Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) – Zwift, Zwift inc.
– World Rowing – Open format
– World Sailing – Virtual Regatta, Virtual Regatta SAS
– Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) – Gran Turismo, Polyphony Digital
The OVS creates a stage to connect the physical sporting world with the virtual and simulation sports gaming community, providing an opportunity to engage with the Olympic Movement. Each IF will offer its corresponding event in a format that maximizes online mass participation and prioritizes inclusivity and participation through the OVS. The mass-participation Series allows participants around the world to compete from home or their training facilities.
All five OVS events will differ in form and concept, and will operate via the sport’s respective publisher platform where participants will be able to take part. Fans will have the opportunity to engage and follow the events on the Olympic Channel. Additional information on how to participate, as well as prizes included with select events, will be announced soon.
Information will also be available online at www.olympicchannel.com.
