Technology giant Intel has held talks with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Olympic movement’s governing body, over the potential of introducing esports to the Games.

Scott Gillingham, Intel UK's head gaming and esports, confirmed that the company has spoken about the matter with the IOC, which has held reservations about making esports a medal event due to the violent nature of some gaming content.

Intel, a partner of the Olympics, showcased esports at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games by holding an Intel Extreme Masters in conjunction with the IOC to demonstrate the opportunity technology can offer the Olympics.

The IOC agreed in 2017 that esports could be considered a sporting activity, though also stated that it must not infringe on Olympic values.

"We don't have a view on whether it should be (included) or not,” Gillingham told the Press Association (PA).

“But we're totally open and have been talking to the Olympics to let them understand what esports is and what potential there could be for it, but ultimately it is down to [the] Olympic Committee on whether they decide to bring it on.

“There are discussions between Intel and the Olympic Committee... but nothing at this point is confirmed but there are conversations."

The development comes amid reports that the Paris 2024 Olympic Organising Committee is also reportedly considering including gaming at the event, in a bid to make the French capital a European esports hub.

In September, Zhang Dazhong, whose China based esports company Alisports partnered with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to feature esaports as a demonstration event in the 2018 Asian Games, said the discipline would need to evolve to earn Olympic inclusion.

The event, held in Jakarta, was also a trial run for esports to be included as an exhibition event in the 2024 Paris Olympics, he said.

Meanwhile, the OCA also stated that it would move away from violent games during plans to make esports a medal event at the 2022 Asian Games in China, with Alisports also playing a supporting role in the event.

According to the Newzoo Global Esports Market Report 2019, revenues from esports are expected to surpass US$1 billion for the first time this year, with the global audience exceeding 450 million.

The UK is the fifth largest gaming market, according to Gillingham, and has contributed to double digital growth of Intel’s gaming and esports division.

"The esports side of the market, the UK in the past has been a bit behind and a bit under-developed compared to say, the US, Germany and China,” Gillingham said.

“But, in the last couple of years, we've seen that growth really happening and more of an acceptance and an understanding of esports in the UK has dramatically changed.

“Esports is helping us develop our data-centric side of the business and is a key element of fuelling that strategy.”