The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has appointed Vincent Pereira as its first head of virtual sport, effective March 1.
The role was created to support the IOC in pursuing Olympic Agenda 2020+5 guideline nine, which calls for fostering the development of virtual sport and leveraging its growing popularity to help the Olympic Movement expand.
Pereira’s responsibilities will include overseeing the design and execution of the Olympic Virtual Series, as well as contributing to the IOC’s virtual sport offers and connecting with videogame communities.
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Baseball, cycling, rowing, sailing, and motorsport were all included in the first Olympic Virtual Series last year.
International Federations from other sports, such as football, basketball, tennis, and taekwondo, have indicated interest in joining the Olympic Virtual Series.
Pereira has worked in corporate social media and the digital sector for more than a decade, most recently as the head of digital for Tour de France organizer Amaury Sport Organisation.
This involves guiding digital strategies for LaFourmi and Solive’s numerous clients, as well as overseeing Microsoft France’s and Auchan Retail International’s social media output.
Kit McConnell, the IOC’s sports director, feels Pereira’s history qualifies him for the new position.
McConnell remarked, “I am happy to welcome Vincent Pereira to lead the IOC Virtual Sport team.”
“He’ll help us take advantage of virtual sport’s rising popularity to promote the Olympic Movement, Olympic ideals, and sports participation, as well as develop direct relationships with young people.”
“His extensive experience in virtual sport as well as digital strategies and activities will be invaluable to the organization and the Olympic Movement.”
Last year, the International Olympic Committee agreed to promote deeper links with virtual sport, while President Thomas Bach stated that games where “violence is exalted or condoned” will not be permitted.
E-sports will be a medal event in the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2022, and the idea of it being included in the Olympic Games program has sparked significant controversy.
