On behalf of the Olympic Movement, I would like to offer my warmest greetings to the participants in the 2nd IOC Bridge Grand Prix, which is being hosted at the Olympic Museum from 20 to 24 September 1999.

This Grand Prix, organized in Lausanne the Olympic Capital, will bring together the world's best bridge players.

A popular game, bridge is a favourite with many different communities. We are confident that this international event will enjoy the success it deserves.

I wish the organizing committee and the competitors in the 2nd IOC Grand prix all the very best.

It is a great pleasure to find ourselves once again in this magnificent Olympic Museum in Lausanne for the 2nd IOC Bridge Grand Prix.

The success obtained by the organization of the first edition enabled bridge to be recognized as a sport and for the World Bridge Federation to be promoted to the rank of "International Federation".

We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the President Juan Antonio Samaranch, our friend Marc Hodler, Vice President of the IOC and to Gilbert Felli, Sports Director for their support and the quality of the relations that exist between us.

The world bridge community, players and adminis trators will prove worthy of this in order to progress towards our objectives of Salt Lake City in 2002 and Turin in 2006.

In the meantime thanks to the support of the Angelini Group, this year we have been able to invite the world's most prestigious teams and to enlarge the competition to include women.

I am sure that the participants will join me in giving sincere thanks to our friend, Francesco Angelini. May the best win in a final that I hope will be as intense as that of last year.

And above all that everyone participates in the best Olympic spirit .