With a strongly worded message
for players to abide by the rules, World Bridge Federation
President Jose Damiani declared the World Bridge Championships
open on Sunday night. Play in the Bermuda Bowl, Venice Cup
and Senior Bowl begin today. Thirty countries are represented
in the three main events.
The President drew applause from the large
crowd at the Hotel de Paris when he noted that documentation
for certain brown-sticker conventions has fallen short of
requirements "and you must recognize that this is totally
unacceptable. We expect fair play from all of you."
Damiani congratulated the players, some
of whom had to overcome serious challenges to make it to Monaco
for the world championships. "I think it is little short
of a miracle," the President said, "that we are
all here."
Damiani was preceded at the podium by
Patrice Leclercq, Ministre d'Etat for the Principality of
Monaco.
Leclercq opened his remarks in French
but also addressed the group in English. Noting that Monaco
is represented by two teams - in the Bermuda Bowl and in the
Senior Bowl - Leclercq said, "May the best win, but if
it is a Monaco team I will be very satisfied."
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