Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and IOC President Thomas Bach met in Riyadh to strengthen global sports cooperation. But while their alliance picks up pace, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Olympic Esports project is facing logistical hurdles that could lead to a change in the event’s timeline.
In a high-level meeting at Al-Yamama Palace last Sunday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach discussed the future of collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the Olympic movement. The meeting, which highlights the Kingdom’s growing influence in global sport, focused on strategies to develop the Olympic Games both nationally and internationally.
The gathering was attended by key figures in Saudi sports and investment, including the Minister of Sport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, and the Governor of the Public Investment Fund, Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Senior IOC representatives, such as Pere Miró and Sir Miang, were also present to reinforce cooperation between the two sides.
Bach’s visit to Riyadh—his fourth since taking office in 2013—underscores the deepening ties between the IOC and Saudi Arabia, particularly within the framework of the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030. This initiative aims to position the Kingdom as a global sporting hub by attracting high-profile events and expanding its influence in the Olympic landscape. One of the flagship projects of this strategy is the organization of the Olympic Esports Games, an innovative event that promises to reshape the Esports ecosystem.
