International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach announced the IOC commissions for 2023 on Tuesday, emphasizing its commitment to gender equality and introducing a new Esports Commission.

David Lappartient has been appointed chairman of the Esports Commission. He previously led the IOC Esports Liaison Group and the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in June, which proved to be a notable success in virtual sports competitions.

"The IOC believes that virtual sports have the potential to complement and enhance the traditional Olympic sports and that they can provide new opportunities for athletes and fans to participate in the Olympic Movement," President Bach was quoted as saying in an IOC statement.

The IOC will maintain gender balance across its commission positions for 2023, underscoring its dedication to promoting gender equality and inclusion throughout the sports sector, according to the statement. Of the 583 positions on the IOC commissions, 287 are held by men and 296 by women, a substantial growth in female representation from 20 percent in 2013. 

The next IOC Commissions Week will be conducted remotely in November.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: The Olympic rings at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. /CFP)