Ireland's chance of qualifying for the World Bridge finals in Bermuda faded irretrievably at the Generali European Championships in Malta yesterday when the Irish Letter Post team lost their three matches. First they went down 11-19 to Germany, a team they had hoped to beat. Then top contenders Bulgaria and Sweden both proved too strong. The score was the same in both matches, 10-20 against Ireland. The Irish team has dropped to 17th, the lowest position they have occupied since the event began last Sunday week. They next meet Austria, San Marino and championship leaders Italy.
In the women's contest, Britain had three big wins against Iceland, Greece and Netherlands to go second. Austria also won their three matches to increase their lead. They, along with France, Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, have pulled away from the rest of the field.
In the senior teams event, Poland A has gone second, splitting the France A and Omar Sharif's France C. Ireland remains unplaced in this competition.
The president of the World Bridge Federation, Mr Jose Damiani, has announced that he has received a communication from International Olympics Committee president Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch, stating that the IOC has granted recognition to the WBF. This means that bridge will almost certainly become a demonstration sport at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Full participation in Turin in 2006 is likely.
The IOC communication stressed that WBF doping regulations must conform to the Olympics' medical code. To date bridge has no such regulations, as the question of drugs has never before been raised.
Generali European Open Teams Championship, leaders after 31 rounds: 1, Italy 582; 2, France 570; 3, Norway 568; 4, Israel 562; 5, Bulgaria 554; 6, Poland 550; 7, Sweden 547; 8, Spain 536; 9, Russia 524; 10, Belgium 519; 11, Netherlands 518; 12, Great Britain 508; 17, Ireland 488. 37 teams compete.