Press Conference Announcing
the European Bridge Pairs Championships in Sorrento

Naples, Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace), March 13, 2001

On Tuesday, March 13, a Press Conference to announce the Sorrento European Championships took place in Naples, at the wonderful venue of the Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace). Questions were answered by the Delegates for Sport and Tourism for the Region of Campania, Mr. Antonio Valiante and from the Province of Naples, Mr. Alfonso Ascione, by the Chairman of the regional committee for Campania of CONI (the Italian Olympic Committee), Mr. Giovanni Ugatti, by the President of the EBL and the FIGB, Mr. Giannarrigo Rona, and by the Chairman of the regional committee of the FIGB for Campanula, Mr. Roberto Pennisi who is also the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of these European Championships.

Both Delegates stressed the importance of these Championships not only as a sporting event, but also from a tourism and economic point of view. This would be the first time that a sporting event of this size would be staged, with over 1000 participants from 36 countries - as Mr. Ascione said in his address - the various requirements for a global project like this would be met perfectly, thanks to the synergetic cooperation between the organizing parties (government authorities, national bridge federations and CONI) involved. What is more, the competitive element would be encouraged by an on-site organization which had provided all the other important factors to guarantee the participants an even more interesting and pleasant stay.

The EBL and FIGB President, Mr. Gianarrigo Rona, in his address, stressed that the game of bridge really is a sport, with all its consequences, which he proved by pointing towards the many common characteristics of bridge to other sports. He then confirmed that bridge would be a demonstration sport at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, the natural waiting-room before entering as an official competitive sport at the next Winter Olympics in Turin, 2006.

In spite of the Global Forum being held at the same time in Naples, many journalists had come to the Press Conference. This clearly proved the ever-rising interest in Italy for bridge. All the main national and regional newspapers were present, as well as four TV networks, Press agencies and Radio networks.

Honorary hosts were the Neapolitan champions Mrs. Luciana Capodanno and Mrs. Marisa D'Andrea, along with the great Pietro Forquet of the legendary Blue Team, publicly recognised in Italy as the athlete who, not only has recorded most wins, but who also recorded them over the longest period of time.