Olympic Esports Week: Can a cross between Olympic sports and online gaming lure an international audience?

GROWING up, Ar Muhammad Aleef Mohamed Rafik was a huge fan of Formula One and always wanted to race cars. 

During the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix in 2008, Aleef had the chance to test-drive a simulator. The experience sparked his interest in virtual motorsports.

“The cheapest way of learning how to drive cars was through games,” he said.

Aleef got his first taste of competitive virtual racing in 2011. He decided to turn professional in 2018. 

Since then, he has participated in various competitions locally and internationally. At the recent 2022 FIA Motorsports Games in France, Aleef finished seventh out of 57 nations in the esports event. 

This year, Aleef will be competing in PlayStation 5 racing game Gran Turismo on home turf at the finals of the Olympic Esports Series – a global virtual and simulated sports competition created in colla…