The President's Opening address

Madam Minister
Mr. Mayor
Rector of the University
Dear Friends

Firstly allow me to congratulate our Dutch friends on this magnificent presentation, which results from a long and painstaking preparation of this Olympiad.

I also give a thought to those colleagues who are no longer with us but who were present twenty years ago when we were here in the same Province of Limburg - in Valkenburg - beautifully situated in the heart of Europe.

André Boekhorst, Wim Wagner, Harry van der Helm were among those from The Netherlands who contributed to the spread of the organization and development of international bridge and their successors today - the President Laurence Hoedemaker, Harry van de Peppel and Marijke Blanken to name but a few - are worthy heirs.

I am sure, Madam Minister, that you will be able to observe that our sport of bridge generates events that bring about a large economic and touristic movement.

You may also be sure, Mr. Mayor, that our community will know how to appreciate to the full your city that has remained as charming as it is steeped in history.

The history of bridge is being rewritten in Olympian leaps and bounds and this is confirmed by the message I have just received from the IOC President Samaranch who wrote:

"On behalf of the International Olympic Committee, I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you my very best wishes for the World Championship to be held in Maastricht, Netherlands.
I trust this event will prove to be a successful and memorable occasion for the organisers, the competitors and the spectators."

It would be a great pity not to respond to this with enthusiasm and it is why we can but regret - even if we register a little progress in the Open - the absence of too many players in the women's and the juniors in the University Cup from the larger wealthy countries, despite my strong personal support.

You should be aware, ladies and gentlemen, , that you as champions represent the beginnings of a groundswell that we hope to see developing and involving people at all levels throughout the world.

It is no coincidence that we have created here the 1st Senior International Cup. We also have a special affection for the youth of the world and that is why we have created, in addition, the 1st University Cup with the help of the FISU. I would like to thank President George Killian and Secretary-General Roch Campana of FISU, and Prof. Kruseman Rector of the University of Maastricht for their support, with the participation of partners such as Electrabel, Ebridge and World Bridge Production.

Thanks to the attention we give you and that you well deserve, as the champions of our great sport, we soon hope to join the Olympic Games of which these Olympiads already reflect the spirit.

It is in this hope, underscored by ceaseless efforts, that I am going to use my privilege to have the honour of asking Madam Minister to assist me in officially opening this 11th Olympiad.

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