BEIJING, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia was postponed to 2027 in order for it to have a real "wow" effect, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach said in an interview with Xinhua.
During the 142nd IOC Session in July last year, the IOC executive board unanimously decided to create the Olympic Esports Games, originally to be held in 2025. Last week, the IOC announced that the Games had been rescheduled to 2027, with planning for the event set to start this year.
"There were no obstacles in the progress. When we started the preparations, we came to the conclusion that it would be better there to take no risk with regard to this 'wow' effect and to have some events in the lead-up to these Olympic Esports Games," said Bach.
The 71-year-old also emphasized that the Olympic movement must align with the younger generation and embrace opportunities like digital technology and artificial intelligence for the future.
"Let's start with tests, qualifications, and then to make it the real Olympic experience for esports," he added. ■
