We, that is, not only me but also my colleagues from the Executive Council of the WBF, many of whom are with us today, are very proud to be here in the magnificent

to welcome the most prestigious of world teams participating in this second

Sponsored by our close friend Francesco Angelini, who deserves our sincere thanks.

We are also extremely grateful to President Juan Antonio Samaranch and to our great friend Vice President Marc Hodler for their invitation to hold this second Grand Prix.

And we are more than pleased to thank the IOC Executive Board for their decision to recognize the WBF as an International Federation. Bridge is definitively considered and accepted as a sport and on its way now for Salt Lake City 2002 to become a demonstration sport and hopefully an official Olympic discipline and a medal sport in 2006 in Turin.

Thank You Marc; thank you very much for your friendship and consideration. To me you are first winner of this Grand Prix for which I want also thank Mr Gilbert Felli, the Director of Sport and Mrs Françoise Zweiffel the Director of the Museum for their very kind co-operation.

Welcome to all of you in the Olympic Movement and my best wishes to you all who I am sure will be playing in this event in the best traditions of the WBF and the Olympic spirit.