Danish prime minister opens Counter-Strike esports tournament
Lars Løkke Rasmussen: "You are truly sportsmen following your dreams"
In a ringing endorsement of esports, the prime minister of Denmark opened the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Blast Pro Series tournament over the weekend.
Addressing the crowd of 12,000 fans at the sold-out Copenhagen Royal Arena -- and the countless viewers at home -- Lars Løkke Rasmussen spoke highly of the esports industry and its professional players.
"You have been training for years and years to be where you are," said Rasmussen.
"And along the way, you have probably had to explain yourselves more than once, convincing people that you are not wasting your time.
"But now I hope, your explaining days are over, because you are sportsmen. You are truly sportsmen following your dreams."
The tournament was broadcasted live in 17 languages via Twitch, and on TV to over 120 countries across five continents.