IOC President Thomas Bach (center) with Youth Beach Volleyball Olympians Tina Graudina (left) and Anastasija Kravcenoka (second from the left) of Latvia and Canadian twins Megan (second from right) and Nicole McNamara during their match Tuesday.

Nanjing, China, August 19, 2014 - International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach visited the Nanjing YOG Sports Park beach volleyball venue Tuesday afternoon. Bach sat and watched the first set of a women’s match between Canada and Latvia on center court. He then walked down to the sand to meet with the athletes.

“The venue is great,” Bach said. “You have a wonderful atmosphere here. It is a fantastic environment.”

Bach presented each of the athletes with lapel pins, and then posed for photos and even selfies with the athletes. In return, the athletes and the FIVB presented Bach with an official Mikasa game ball autographed by all of the players.

This year Beach Volleyball is making its debut at the Youth Olympic Games. The inaugural 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games featured volleyball. 

“It is a very modern sport,” Bach said. “It is a very easy-going sport. You can see how much the youth like it.”