BRIDGE AND THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT
BRIDGE BECOMES AN OLYMPIC SPORT
Status as of January 2000
THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE HAS
ALREADY RECOGNIZED
THE WORLD BRIDGE FEDERATION AND PROSPECTS ARE THAT BRIDGE WILL
SOON BE AN OFFICIAL COMPETITION AT THE OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
Bridge, a true sport of the mind, has
being trying to gain its well deserved entry into the world of Olympism for some
time now. Here is an account of the present status, how this was achieved and what
remains to be done.
WBF: a Recognized Organization
In June 1995, the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) admitted the World Bridge Federation (WBF) as part of
the Olympic Movement, awarding it the status of a Recognized Sport Organization.
This recognition was accorded under Rule 4 of the Olympic Charter.
Liaison with the IOC President
Pursuant to the above development, the WBF,
in quest for elevation of its status as an IOC-recognized International Federation
(IF), established an effective liaison with the IOC and President Juan Antonio
Samaranch. Instrumental in this effort were the WBF President José Damiani,
and WBF Vice President Mazhar Jafri, who worked in harmony with IOC Vice
President Marc Hodler.
1st IOC Grand Prix for Bridge
Following a befitting presentation in December
1997, the IOC agreed to stage the 1st IOC Grand Prix
for Bridge at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne in September 1998.
Speaking at the opening of the 1st IOC Grand
Prix, President Samaranch declared that "bridge is a sport and, as such,
its place is here" (in the Olympic Museum) "like all other sports".
WBF: an International Federation
In June 1999, the Executive Board of the International
Olympic Committee decided, at its meeting in Seoul, to recognize the World Bridge
Federation as an International Federation (IF) under Rule 29 of the Olympic Charter.
Rule 29 provides that in order to promote the
Olympic Movement, the IOC may recognize as IFs international non-governmental organizations
administering one or several sports at world level and encompassing organizations
administering such sports at national level.
Required Amendments
Further, Rule 29 also provides that as far
as the role of IFs within the Olympic Movement is concerned, their statutes, practice
and activities must be in conformity with the Olympic Charter.
Accordingly, the IOC has requested confirmation
that the WBF doping regulations are in conformity with the Olympic Movement Medical
Code and that the WBF adheres to the Court of Arbitration for Sports for the resolution
of all form of dispute relating to the sport of bridge.
In order to comply with these requirements,
necessary amendments to the WBF Constitution and By-laws are being prepared to be
effected in due course.
The Olympic status of Bridge
So far, Bridge has reached the same level as
Golf, Rugby, Squash, Karate etc. which, though recognized as sports, are not yet
admitted into the Olympic Games. From this level, bridge may belong to some International
Associations of sports and be part of the Olympic Congress. The WBF logo and flag
are included in IOC publications and displays.
IOC Grand Prix for Bridge continues
The IOC Grand Prix is a useful tool for keeping
in close contact with the Olympic movement. For this reason, it has become a regular
feature, held annually.
Following the first event, the 2nd IOC Grand Prix
took place at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, in September 1999. The 3rd IOC Grand Prix
followed in October-November 2000.
The Final Step
Given that the Olympic Summer Games have grown
to the limit, new disciplines can only be accepted in the Winter Games. For the all-important
entry of bridge as a sport discipline in the Olympic Winter Games, it is required
to seek a necessary amendment/modification to Rule 9.4 of the Olympic Charter which
states that: Those sports which are practiced on snow or ice are considered as winter
sports.
Bridge would then apply to be an attraction
at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, in Salt Lake City, USA. It is hoped that the final
step of bridge becoming a sport discipline will be achieved at the 2006 Olympic Winter
Games, scheduled to take place in Torino, Italy.
National Olympic Committees
Until bridge has been included in the programme
of the Olympic Games, National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are not obliged to
accept NBOs (National Contract Bridge Organizations) within their membership fold
(Rule 32.2 of the Olympic Charter). Although, the recognition of the WBF as an International
Federation may and should help the NBOs to be accepted by their respective NOCs,
such acceptance is subject to the NOC's approval.
However, once bridge becomes part of the Olympic
Games, NOC recognition of the respective NBO is mandatory (Rule 32.1 of the Olympic
Charter).
Other Recognitions
Bridge seeks recognition from all sports organizations
that are connected with the Olympic movement.
Because of its recognition by the IOC, bridge is
a member of the Association of the IOC-Recognized International Sports Federations
(ARISF).
At its meeting of 28 October 2000, held in
Monaco, the Assembly of the General Association of International Sports Federations
(GAISF) recognized bridge without any opposition. GAISF includes Olympic and non-Olympic
sports.
On 18 November 2000, bridge was introduced
to the 29th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), convened in
Warsaw, Poland. A 10-minute audio-visual presentation by WBF President José
Damiani was well received by some 150 delegates of the 48 EOC member countries. At
the end of the presentation, EOC President Jacques Rogge wished that bridge
be welcomed by the European Olympic Committees.
To demonstrate what bridge is about, a competition
was arranged in Warsaw, along the lines of the IOC Grand Prix. The EOC Bridge Tournament,
was organized by the European Bridge League and the Polish Bridge Union,
under the patronage of the EOC. It was visited by EOC President Jacques Rogge
and EOC Secretary Mario Pescante.
Conclusion
Under the Olympic Charter, the criterion of
belonging to the Olympic Movement is recognition by the IOC.
The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute
to the building of a peaceful and better world, by educating people through sport
practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit which requires
mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.
The WBF, now an integral part of the Olympic
Movement, will continue to strive for the attainment of the above goal, thereby bringing
the great sport of bridge at the same level with those sports already admitted in
the Olympic Games.
After one of the most dramatic finals in
the history of bridge, Brazil and China tied in the Grand Prix competition
organised by the International Olympic Committee.
The Grand Prix started on Monday 7 September
1998 with 6 countries participating: the Bridge Olympiad winners France, Italy,
USA, Poland, Brazil and Far East winners China. The format was a simple
Round Robin of 24-board matches which was concluded in 3 days. The top two teams,
Brazil and China, advanced to the 72-board final.
In June 1995 the World Bridge Federation
became a member of the Olympic family as a recognized international organization.
Since then, following successive visits by
Marc Hodler, the IOC First Vice President, to the World Championships in Beijing,
Rhodes and Hammamet, a lot has been achieved towards WBF's acceptance as an international
sports federation.
Bridge is planned to be part of the Winter
Olympic Games. An important step forward in this direction was the organization of
the International Olympic Committee Grand Prix which was requested, and presided
over, by Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the International Olympic Committee.
The Grand Prix started on Monday 20
September 1999 with 6 countries participating in the Open Team event: Brazil,
China, France, Italy, The Netherlands and USA.
There was also a Women's Contest in which a
European Team comprising Auken-von Arnim (Germany), Bessis-d'Ovidio
(France), Davies-Smith (Great Britain) and van der Pas-Vriend (The
Netherlands) has faced the North American Team of Breed-Quinn, Goldberg-Pollack,
Berkowitz-Sanders and Deas-Palmer.
After a 5-day battle the Olympic Grand Prix
was concluded with the closing ceremony on Friday 24 September 1999 with the President
of the IOC Juan Antonio Samaranch, and the Vice President Marc Hodler
present.
Italy and Europe's women duly completed the
victories that were on the cards the day before. Both our champions were in irresistible
form, and they had to be in order to defeat such outstanding opponents as Brazil
and North America. France won the play off for third place and that left China fourth.
Indonesia surprised the world audience
winning the 3rd IOC Grand Prix and capturing the Generali Trophy.
After finishing second in the qualifying stage,
they beat the powerful USA squad in the semifinals and prevailed over the
Olympiad gold medal holders Italy on the penultimate board of the final.
The programme of the IOC Grand Prix also included
a women's contest which was won by a mutli-national European team after a
fierce battle, but with a small margin, against a North American team.
The 3rd Grand Prix
was organized by the World Bridge Federation under the auspices of the International
Olympic Committee. It took place in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland,
from October 30 to November 3, 2000.
Six countries participated in the Open Series:
China, France, Indonesia, Italy, Poland and USA.
They played a Round Robin from which the four semifinalists emerged. The tournament
ended with the final and playoff for third place.
There was also a women's contest, involving
a representative teams from Europe and North America.
STATUS OF NBO RECOGNITION BY GOVERNMENT
AND NATIONAL OLYMPIC AUTHORITIES EUROPE:
Zone 1
|
National Bridge Organization |
|
Recognized By |
|
Belarus: |
|
Ministry of Sports |
|
Belgium: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Bulgaria: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Croatia: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Cyprus: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Denmark: |
|
Mind Sports Organization |
|
Estonia: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Finland: |
|
Sports Federation |
|
France: |
|
Ministry of Sports |
|
Greece: |
|
Ministry of Sports (under negotiation with NOC) |
|
Hungary: |
|
(under negotiation with NOC) |
|
Iceland: |
|
about to be recognized by NOC |
|
Israel: |
|
Sports Federation |
|
Italy: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Lebonon: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Malta: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
The Netherlands: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Poland: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Portugal: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Russia: |
|
Ministry of Sports |
|
Slovenia: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Spain: |
|
Sports Federation |
|
Sweden: |
|
Sports Federation (under negotiation with NOC) |
|
Switzerland: |
|
(under negotiation with NOC) |
|
Turkey: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Yugoslavia: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
STATUS OF NBO RECOGNITION BY GOVERNMENT
AND NATIONAL OLYMPIC AUTHORITIES EUROPE:
Zone 2
|
National Bridge Organization |
|
Recognized By |
|
Bermuda: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Canada: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
STATUS OF NBO RECOGNITION BY GOVERNMENT
AND NATIONAL OLYMPIC AUTHORITIES EUROPE:
Zone 3
|
National Bridge Organization |
|
Recognized By |
|
Argentina: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Brazil: |
|
(under negotiation with NOC) |
|
Chile: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Peru: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Uruguay: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
STATUS OF NBO RECOGNITION BY GOVERNMENT
AND NATIONAL OLYMPIC AUTHORITIES EUROPE:
Zone 4
|
National Bridge Organization |
|
Recognized By |
|
Jordan: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Kuwait: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Pakistan: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Palestine: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
STATUS OF NBO RECOGNITION BY GOVERNMENT
AND NATIONAL OLYMPIC AUTHORITIES EUROPE:
Zone 5
|
National Bridge Organization |
|
Recognized By |
|
Costa Rica: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Guatamala: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
STATUS OF NBO RECOGNITION BY GOVERNMENT
AND NATIONAL OLYMPIC AUTHORITIES EUROPE:
Zone 6
|
National Bridge Organization |
|
Recognized By |
|
China: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Hong Kong: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Indonesia: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Malaysia: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
|
Singapore: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
STATUS OF NBO RECOGNITION BY GOVERNMENT
AND NATIONAL OLYMPIC AUTHORITIES EUROPE:
Zone 7
|
National Bridge Organization |
|
Recognized By |
|
No NBO has been recognized by |
|
the respective National Olympic Committee |
STATUS OF NBO RECOGNITION BY GOVERNMENT
AND NATIONAL OLYMPIC AUTHORITIES EUROPE:
Zone 8
|
National Bridge Organization |
|
Recognized By |
|
Egypt: |
|
National Olympic Committee |
Only International Sports Federation recognized
by the IOC can be affiliated as members. An International Federation automatically
loses its membership when included in the Olympic program. A member will also lose
its membership should the International Olympic Committee decide to withdraw the
said member's recognition.
Seventeen IFs governing sports recognized by
the IOC are affiliated to the ARISF:
|
Members: |
|
|
|
W.B.F. |
|
World Bridge Federation |
|
F.A.I. |
|
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale |
|
F.I.A. |
|
Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (Provisional) |
|
F.I.P.V. |
|
International Federation of Basque Pelota |
|
W.C.B.S. |
|
World Confederation of Billiards Sports |
|
I.F.B.B. |
|
International Federation of Body Builders (Provisional) |
|
C.M.S.B. |
|
Confédération Mondiale des Sports de Boules |
|
F.I.Q. |
|
International Bowling Federation |
|
F.I.D.E. |
|
International Chess Federation |
|
I.D.S.F. |
|
International Dance Sport Federation |
|
W.A.G.C. |
|
World Amateur Golf Council |
|
F.M.K. |
|
World Karate Federation |
|
I.K.F. |
|
International Korfball Federation |
|
I.L.S. |
|
International Life Saving Federation |
|
U.I.M. |
|
Union Internationale Motonautique (Provisional) |
|
F.I.M. |
|
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (Provisonal) |
|
U.I.A.A. |
|
International Mountaineering and Climbing Federations |
|
I.F.N.A. |
|
The International Federation of Netball Associations |
|
I.O.F. |
|
International Orienteering Federation |
|
F.I.P. |
|
Federation of International Polo |
|
I.R.F. |
|
International Racquetball Federation |
|
F.I.R.S. |
|
Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports |
|
I.R.B. |
|
International Rugby Board |
|
W.S.F. |
|
World Squash Federation |
|
C.M.A.S. |
|
World Underwater Federation |
|
I.F.S. |
|
International Sumo Federation (Provisional) |
|
I.S.A. |
|
International Surfing Association |
|
T.W.I.F. |
|
Tug of War International Federation (Provisional) |
|
I.W.S.F. |
|
International Water Ski Federation |
|
I.W.U.F. |
|
International Wushu Federation (Provisional) |
2000 World Bridge Federation Olympiad
Maastrict, The Netherlands
Friday September 1, 2000
Daily bulletin, Issue 6
Coordinator: Jean Paul Meyer
Editor: Mark Horton
Assistant Editors: Brent Manley and Brian Senior
Text-layout Editor: Chyah Burghard
At its meeting of 28 August 2000 the BUSB (Belgian University Sport Federation) recognized bridge officially as a sport.
As a result, from now onwards bridge will be found on the list among all other sports at all universities in Belgium and bridge events for students will be included in the university calendar.
The Federation's decision also enables us to organize bridge lessons in university buildings.
We sincerely hope that all countries will follow this example, and we count on your cooperation. Therefore, we appeal to all of you to personally do your utmost to make your national sports committees recognize bridge as a sport.
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