From nerd to Olympic champion

Many things that today are a common part of the popular cultural backdrop originally had a nerd status. Superheroes and comic books. Manga and anime. Computer games and video games. Anyone who was interested could very easily see themselves ridiculed in movies and TV series. A number of films from the 80s and 90s further enhanced the image. Now things are different.

Closer to the ground

What created the biggest change in the view of so-called nerd culture was an increased focus on personal technology. Companies like Microsoft and Apple wanted to reach more people at the same time as the technology was refined. Today, many people have several different devices they can use, which is a relatively new development. It has created a greater interest in what was previously considered nerdy.

A huge milestone was when e-sports was approved as an official sport. It is now a multi-million dollar industry where players can win huge sums in tournaments worldwide. As with many other sports, it has also become possible to bet money. Several online casinos offer odds on e-sports matches.

All this in combination with greater accessibility has changed the pop cultural landscape. Instead of being considered exclusively for nerds, it's okay to love Marvel, DC or Star Wars nowadays. It is no wonder to enjoy playing games in your spare time or interested in technology. Streaming services have also contributed to the major changes.

Olympic gold in League of Legends

When you talk about the Olympic Games, it is often about athletics, football, hockey or skiing. Elite players and athletes from all corners of the world compete for the honor of taking home gold. It is not as often talked about e-sports in combination with the Olympics. Annual e-sports championships are not uncommon and many professional e-athletes participate.

In 2021, however, one came historical message from the International Olympic Committee. Ahead of the 2024 Olympics, there were plans to hold a virtual championship in e-sports. Not long after, unfortunately, another message came. No Olympic championship in e-sports, this time. This does not mean that the plans are thrown in the trash. They're just on ice for now.

The IOC wants to do more studies and have more time to set up a structure. In other words, there is still an interest in the Committee to make the Olympics in e-sports a reality. It has not escaped them that the interest is enormous. New sports have been added over the years already, including surfing and skateboarding. Therefore, there is still a chance for e-athletes.

What the future holds

No one can predict the future, the best we have are qualified guesses. As the world looks today, there is a huge potential for what was called nerd culture. In many fields, it is a strength to have an interest in technology and experience to use. An interest in games can also be an advantage in a job. Especially with how computerized many jobs have become.

For the aspiring e-sports champion, it is perfectly normal to talk about his career, without being criticized. As the technology is further refined, the opportunities will also grow to new heights.