On November 22, 2019, at the Lausanne Palace Hotel, IOC President Bach asserted his clear and unequivocal support for Virtual Sport, as the “Fast Path” for the International Olympic Committee to digital sport.

IOC President Thomas Bach, at the Esports and Gaming Liaison Group Meeting

Virtual Sports Association President Victor Bond asked that question.

This was the full exchange:

“President Bach, we at the Virtual Sports Association are dedicated to extending Olympism through Virtual Sports, because they involve the movements of the sports.

We’re working with five International Federations, including fencing, to implement VR solutions with them.

Because of your position and the position of the IFs, you can lead this whole development in the world, vis-a-vis Olympism and Virtual Sport.

Do you want to?”

And, looking me straight in the eye, without skipping a beat, he said one word:

“YES.”

The room was electric, with everyone laughing at what they’d just heard: a one-word, declarative answer unlike any other answer that he gave that morning.

THEN, with a smile, still looking straight at me, he said,

“Any more questions?”

The crowd and I laughed again, and I said:

“I’m done!”

He THEN went on for five more minutes, explaining why he felt committed to virtual sport:

The highlights of President Bach’s extended comments:

“The answer is a clear yes.

The other day, at the World Championships in Taekwondo,.. they told me that they wanted to make a presentation on e-Taekwondo.

I really could not imagine. … I was really excited.

This is exactly what I mean when I say this needs encouragement.”

This is where we want our International Federations to go.

This what we want in every conversation with them, in interviews or public appearances.

And we may be a little bit selfish… because, for us, that’s the easiest approach.

This is the fast track for us and the Federations.

Therefore, the answer is yes.”