Eugene, OR- I’m packing my bags, yes I am. For the Summer Games are on!*

As competitive sports video gaming continues to grow, video games are spilling back over into sport, creating interesting mutations. Combining e-sports, brain games, and athletic events under the moniker of “Team Sports,” law students from the University of Oregon are having one last summer bash before classes begin. Friday marks the beginning of the Summer Olympics 2K9, a curious two-day social event that fuses gaming and physical competition.

After the opening ceremonies tonight, the “highly decorated athletes” will take part in 14 mentally and physically demanding games of skill. Team events include 4×100 Relay, Medley Relay, Soccer, Dodgeball, Volleyball, Tug of War, Halo, Rock Band, Random Object Toss, and a secret event where patriotic garments are encouraged. Individual events are traditionally more brainy and athletic in scope: Mile Run, Spelling Bee, Obstacle Course, and Speed Multiplication Tables. The festivities close Saturday evening with Rock Band, Awards, and an Olympic party event.

There shall be four teams, each representing a country/entity (Canada, Denmark, North Korea, Principality of Sea Land). Teams have been selected by means of a draft, with the team captains being the members of the Olympic Committee. Either the whole team, part of the team, or an individual team member will compete in every event, as further specified by the rules of individual events.

So I’m headed to Eugene to do a little gonzo journalism and add a culinary twist to the event. I’ll also be on hand to lead some hand-crafted pizza competitions….and school spartans between matches.

Some links:

• Overview
• Schedule of Events
• Event Details
• Matchups and Lane Assignments

Commentary

Although discussions about Health and Games typically revolve around hardware’s ability to “serve as useful tools in the fight to preserve well-being,” it’s easy to forget that physical fitness is first and foremost an activity and a lifestyle. This event is interesting to the gaming industry and community for its ability to fight sedentary leisure by offering physical fitness, healthy habits, and plenty of video game fun to go all around. That is if the beer isn’t flowing too quickly. Simultaneously, the event draws into question the place of video games in modern sport and culture, restoring much needed balance to this gaming life.

*Note- Yes, Blizzcon is this weekend and unfortunately it is sold out. Dare I fork out 40 bucks to watch Ozzy in concert on the Live Stream or DirectTV? I’m going off the rails…