By bringing together sports and esports, we empower both communities

For more than two decades, Dan Merkley has been a key figure behind the scenes of the world's biggest sporting events. As the man who led the operations of the Olympic and Paralympic Villages from Salt Lake City 2002 to Rio 2016, and advised the International and European Olympic Committees, he has earned a reputation as an expert on complex, global sports systems.

It is this rich experience that recommended him for the position of president of the World Phygital Community (WPC), an organization that is shaping a new era of sports thanks to the fusion of the physical and the digital.

At the head of the World phygital community, Merkley today leads a global network that brings together clubs and organizations from more than 60 countries - including those from the Balkans - with the ambition to make phygital sport recognizable, accessible and exciting for audiences and competitors around the world, and he talks about all this for Vijesti...

With over 20 years of experience in organizing Olympic and Paralympic villages, as well as strategic consulting for the world's largest sporting events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, your knowledge in the field of sports management is invaluable. How has that experience helped you in your current role promoting phygital sports, which combine traditional sports and e-sports?

My experience with the Olympic and Paralympic Games was extremely valuable, especially in terms of managing complex, high-pressure events. However, while these events always provided room for innovation, we worked within a set framework. With phygital sports, we literally write the blueprint as we go.

It's exciting and demanding at the same time. We don't just organize competitions - we help define what this new sports format looks like. As President and CEO of the World Phygital Community (WPC), I'm proud and grateful to have the opportunity to participate in shaping a model that is redefining the way people experience both traditional sports and gaming. Rarely does an opportunity arise to build something from the ground up that can truly change the future of sports.

The Phygital concept blurs the line between digital and physical sports. Can the merging of e-sports and traditional sports contribute to the promotion of both worlds, and to what extent?

Absolutely. Phygital sports represent a powerful bridge between two rapidly growing domains - traditional sports and eSports, allowing them to both benefit from the strengths of the other. Traditional sports are gaining new relevance among a younger, digitally literate audience, while eSports are rising through physical involvement and athleticism.

By merging these two worlds, we create something completely new, while simultaneously empowering both communities.

One of the common criticisms of esports is the lack of physical activity in the industry. Phygital sports can certainly help change that perception, and encourage gamers to be more active. How important is it to you that the phygital format is not just another platform for competition, but also a tool for breaking down deep-rooted prejudices about esports athletes - that they are inactive, closed-off, and physically neglected?

That's one of the key reasons why phygital sports was created in the first place - to directly counter the sedentary lifestyle that is often associated with traditional esports. So, yes, that's extremely important to us. Phygital sports is a tool to redefine what it means to be an athlete in the digital age.

By combining physical challenges with gaming elements, we create a space where players must be both physically and mentally prepared. The competitors we see at Phygital events today are among the most complete athletes - demonstrating quick thinking, strategic acumen, and physical prowess.

Essentially, one of our main goals is to promote movement, health, and an active lifestyle, especially among younger generations who are deeply immersed in the world of video games.

Through the development of phygital sports, we see a shift towards new models of competition that combine physical activity with digital challenges. Do you think this new form of sport can contribute to the development of a whole new generation of athletes, who would simultaneously cultivate both mental and physical fitness?

Definitely. Phygital sports is developing a new kind of athlete - one who is adaptable, technically skilled and physically fit. You no longer have to choose between gaming and sports because in this format, success depends on the ability to master both.

This shift inspires a generation that sees digital and physical challenges as two sides of the same coin. It's no longer about separating the screen and the field, but about merging them in a way that rewards balance, skill, and all-around performance.

In phygital sports, players must simultaneously participate in both the virtual and physical aspects of the sport. How difficult is it to find suitable games that will go along with traditional sports? Do you think this merger will force video game creators to focus more on developing simulations of different sports, in order to allow players to have a more authentic experience?

Finding the right games to fit into traditional sports can be challenging, as not all sports translate easily to a phygital format. However, we are constantly adapting and evolving to achieve the most natural integration possible.

We currently have four main disciplines: phygital football, phygital basketball, phygital dance and phygital shooting. Recently, one of the WPC members organized a very successful phygital martial arts tournament in Montenegro. As we approach the 2025 Future Games in the UAE, more disciplines will be announced.

As the demand for phygital sports grows, I believe we will see more developers working to bridge the gap between digital gaming and real-world sports, offering players more realistic and engaging experiences.