In a match that will go down in history as one of the most exciting ever, it was Italy, represented by Norberto Bocchi, Giorgio Duboin, Dano de Falco, Guido Ferraro, Lorenzo Lauria, Alfredo Versace, npc Carlo Mosca and coach Maria Teresa Lavazza who emerged as Champions in the Open series of the Olympiad. It was Italy's fourth win in all, and their first since1972. They now share with France the distinction of having won four times.

It was only on the last few boards of the final session that they overcame the magnificent team from Poland, Cezary Balicki, Krzysztof Jassem, Michal Kwiecien, Jacek Pszczola, Piotr Tuszynski, Adam Zmudzinski, npc Jan Rogowski and coach Wojciech Siwiec.

Transnational Mixed Teams

In a final that was no less exciting, it was the combination from USA, Poland and Israel, team e-bridge, npc Pinhas Romik, Jill Meyers, Irina Levitina, Migry Tzur-Campanile, Sam Lev, John Mohan, Piotr Gawrys that captured the World title. They survived a tremendous fight back by Bessis, Michel Bessis, Véronique Bessis, Catherine D'Ovidio, Paul Chemla, who took the silver medal for France.

A mistake in the Bulletin, oh really?

Aida, the Opera that has been running alongside these Championships contains a triumphal march. It would not be inappropriate for it to be played at the end of these Championships, which have been an outstanding success.

The first Olympiad I attended was in 1992. The equipment we use, and the appearance of the bulletin, have both changed beyond recognition. The latter is due, in no small measure, to the dedication of the team put together by the WBF under the control of our exceptional Co-ordinator Jean-Paul Meyer.

Brian Senior and Brent Manley are consummate professionals. To be so accurate when having to work at top speed for almost two weeks is remarkable.

Our layout editor Stelios Hatzidakis somehow manages to fit a quart into a pint pot, and both he and Takis Pournaras, who was our Internet guru, worked long hours while others slept, and of necessity slept short hours while others worked. Ron Tacchi, rapidly making a name for himself as a photographer and bon vivant, achieved much, even getting Brian to smile in front of the camera!

Although each department has its own responsibilities, the Daily Bulletin perhaps relies more heavily than most on the co-operation of others. I cannot mention them all

Barry Rigal was one of our main links with the VuGraph, and supplied us with information about many deals. He also introduced us to the latest craze in the bulletin office, a game called Demolition. As a result we are proud to inform the World that Patrick Jourdain has absolutely no hand/eye co-ordination whatsoever - well at least not at 03.00 in the morning! Koen Gijsman helped in a hundred different ways, but especially by providing us with missing information. Without Peter Huisman and his production team, there would have been no point to our work - and no bulletin for you to read tonight.

Mark Horton

Editor

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