Zeynep Gencaga Dechelotte has been appointed the deputy director of the International Olympic Committee’s esports efforts (IOC Esports), according to a report from InsidetheGames.
Dechelotte, who officially took on the role in November, is an esports industry veteran, most recently working at France-based games publisher Ubisoft in the role of senior esports director, head of regions, mostly focusing on Rainbow Six Siege. Prior to joining Ubisoft in September 2022, she spent more than two years at Riot Games Europe where she served in business development roles for the company’s esports properties including League of Legends and Valorant.
In a social media post announcing the new role, Dechelotte said the following:
This is a historical moment, and the most exhilirating one for me personally – for sure. Building on Olympic Virtual Series and Olympic Esports Week, now we have our Olympic Esports Games!
Not only seeing that the OEG is happening, but also being among the passionate people who lead the charge is amazing. I look forward to doing my part in adding value in this esports space that I love so very much.
A tiny personal note… Sometimes when I looked back at my career, some of the things I tried, accomplished, failed and learned in the last 20 years did not make much sense when put together. In hindsight, this feels like the moment – that maybe it was meant to be. That the journey took me where I am supposed to be. 🙂
While not emphatically stated, Dechelotte is expected to work closely with the Saudi Arabian government, its various Olympic divisions, and its wholly owned or funded businesses that will help facilitate the event and tie it to its other existing esports and gaming activities on the calendar including ESL FACEIT Group, Saudi Esports Federation, Savvy Games Group, and the Esports World Cup Foundation.
The Saudi government secured a deal with the IOC earlier this year to host the Esports Olympic Games in the country for the next 12 years.