The International Olympic Committee (IOC), Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Polyphony Digital Inc. have announced that Gran Turismo™7 will be used as the platform for the OLYMPIC ESPORTS SERIES 2023 Motor Sport Event. An online time trial will begin in mid-April (eligibility criteria to be announced at a later date). The fastest from the time trial will be invited to compete at the finals, which will be live at the first-ever Olympic Esports Week from June 22-25, 2023 in Singapore.

The Olympic Esports Series is a global virtual and simulated sports competition, created by the IOC, and in collaboration with International Federations (IFs) and game publishers. In addition to motorsport, a wide range of virtual sports will be included.

“Participation of Gran Turismo in the Olympic Esports Series 2023 is something we are very happy about and it is great for fans of GT and the community,” explained producer of the Gran Turismo series Kazunori Yamauchi at an event held at Olympic House in Lausanne. “What we’re seeing is something that, for us, began when we started GT Academy in 2008 when we were trying to go from virtual to real-world racing, and we saw them as two distinct things. Ten years on and we are seeing the landscape of sport evolving with more places that the virtual and real worlds meet. The OES marks a step change in that process. The athletes will be one in the same, and athletes competing in these sports will have the experience in their careers of moving seamlessly between the virtual and real. Sport has been evolving for 100 years and this is the latest development in that evolution.”

For Robert Reid, the FIA Deputy President for Sport, the OLYMPIC ESPORTS SERIES 2023 Motor Sport Event is a valuable collaboration on a number of fronts. “I am delighted that the FIA is joining forces for the second time in a row with the IOC and Gran Turismo for this innovative Esports event,” he said. “We've committed to double the participation in motorsport, and the Olympic Esports Series aligns perfectly with our strategy to extend the appeal of our wonderful sport to fresh audiences. Esports promotes mass participation by removing most of the traditional barriers to entry and is also a great display of equality, diversity and inclusivity."

The Olympic Esports Series 2023 will culminate in live, in-person finals for the first time, with players having the opportunity to progress to the Olympic Esports Finals 2023. Taking place at Singapore’s Suntec Centre 22–25 June, the finals action will be a highlight of the recently announced Olympic Esports Week 2023.

Speaking about the importance of the Olympic Esports Series, David Lappartient, Chair of the IOC Esports Liaison Group, said: “The Olympic Movement brings people together in peaceful competition. The Olympic Esports Series 2023 is a continuation of that, with the ambition of creating more spaces to play for both players and fans of elite competition. We look forward to witnessing some of the world’s best compete on the global stage, as well as exploring together, shared opportunities and lessons - across health and wellbeing, training and innovation”.

Coming together in Singapore for the unique competition, players will compete in front of fans for the prestigious title of Olympic Esports Series winner. The thrilling finals action will be streamed globally across Olympics.com and Olympic social channels.

Gran Turismo was also represented in the Olympic Virtual Series in 2021 when Valerio Gallo of Italy won the title in an online event.