Kiwi Esports athletes will be heading to Saudi Arabia next year to compete in the first-ever Olympic Esports games.

The International Olympic Committee voted unanimously for Saudi Arabia to host the Games in 2025 reflecting the growth in popularity of competitive gaming.

The decision comes as Riyadh hosts the Esports World Cup – a two-month event drawing 2,500 gamers competing for NZ$100 million in prize money.

New Zealand Esports President Conor English joined Ryan Bridge.

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Kiwi Esports athletes will be heading to Saudi Arabia next year to compete in the first-ever Olympic Esports games. 
The International Olympic Committee voted unanimously for Saudi Arabia to host the Games in 2025 reflecting the growth in popularity of competitive gaming. 
The decision comes as Riyadh hosts the Esports World Cup – a two-month event drawing 2,500 gamers competing for NZ$100 million in prize money. 
New Zealand Esports President Conor English joined Ryan Bridge. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Conor English: New Zealand Esports President on the first ever Olympic Esports Games confirmed for next year

Drone gate.

It's all anyone is talking about at the Olympics.

We've just lost to the Canadians by the way, 2 - 1 in the women's football.

Imagine being that assistant coach and the analyst who were caught, who were busted.

You know, you go to the Olympics, it's one of your proudest moments. Your family is behind you, your kids are cheering you on.

Then imagine the shame of flying home before the games have even begun.

I could think of nothing worse. You're coming home basically a spy, you've broken the rules.

Imagine that plane ride and imagine facing your family and facing your country when you go home, the shame of it.

And why? Apparently they're way better than us anyway.

They're the reigning champs and they've just beaten us 2-1 over in Paris.

The head coach Beverly Priestman is staying on, she sat out the match this morning. But I don't know, if you dope, you get disqualified, don't you?

Isn't spying, isn't cheating the same?

And you can't tell me the coach didn't know. If the assistant coach is involved, surely the head coach would know.

And if the head coach knows, surely the players would know.

Did they see the footage?

You can't unsee the footage, can you?

I know I might be biased because I'm a Kiwi, but I say send them all home.

Send the entire Canadian team home packing.

Drone gate. 
It's all anyone is talking about at the Olympics. 
We've just lost to the Canadians by the way, 2 - 1 in the women's football. 
Imagine being that assistant coach and the analyst who were caught, who were busted. 
You know, you go to the Olympics, it's one of your proudest moments. Your family is behind you, your kids are cheering you on. 
Then imagine the shame of flying home before the games have even begun. 
I could think of nothing worse. You're coming home basically a spy, you've broken the rules. 
Imagine that plane ride and imagine facing your family and facing your country when you go home, the shame of it. 
And why? Apparently they're way better than us anyway. 
They're the reigning champs and they've just beaten us 2-1 over in Paris. 
The head coach Beverly Priestman is staying on, she sat out the match this morning. But I don't know, if you dope, you get disqualified, don't you? 
Isn't spying, isn't cheating the same? 
And you can't tell me the coach didn't know. If the assistant coach is involved, surely the head coach would know. 
And if the head coach knows, surely the players would know. 
Did they see the footage? 
You can't unsee the footage, can you? 
I know I might be biased because I'm a Kiwi, but I say send them all home. 
Send the entire Canadian team home packing.

Ryan Bridge: Olympic spying - Send the entire Canadian team home

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 26th of July, the Olympics opening ceremony is just about here - Ryan speaks to kiwi tennis star Erin Routliffe.

Beef and Lamb are up in arms about our water sediment targets - what's the solution?

Opposition parties have united against the early childhood sector review - Ryan speaks to Associate Education Minister David Seymour.

Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

LISTEN ABOVE

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 26th of July, the Olympics opening ceremony is just about here - Ryan speaks to kiwi tennis star Erin Routliffe. 
Beef and Lamb are up in arms about our water sediment targets - what's the solution? 
Opposition parties have united against the early childhood sector review - Ryan speaks to Associate Education Minister David Seymour. 
Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 26 July 2024

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 25th of July, the abuse in care Royal Commission report is out - what action will the government take on the 138 recommendations?

A call for an end to raised crossings in Wellington - Transporting New Zealand speaks to Ryan.

The Kiwi E-Sports team are heading to Saudi Arabia next year for the first Olympic competition. They're currently competing in the World championships.

U.S. President Joe Biden will make a public address today, the first since announcing he won't seek re-election. Ryan speaks to our correspondent in the states Mitch McCann.

Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

LISTEN ABOVE

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 25th of July, the abuse in care Royal Commission report is out - what action will the government take on the 138 recommendations?
A call for an end to raised crossings in Wellington - Transporting New Zealand speaks to Ryan.
The Kiwi E-Sports team are heading to Saudi Arabia next year for the first Olympic competition. They're currently competing in the World championships.
U.S. President Joe Biden will make a public address today, the first since announcing he won't seek re-election. Ryan speaks to our correspondent in the states Mitch McCann.
Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Conor English: New Zealand Esports President on the first ever Olympic Esports Games confirmed for next year

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