"Some time ago, Jacques Rogge (the former IOC President) told me to provide the letters from 200 National Olympic Committees. We have already collected more than 100. I have talked with the leaders of The Association of International Olympic Winter Sports, who also support us. It would create a critical mass that leaves no room for failure. I am sure that we are on the verge of the incorporating chess into the Olympic programme. “The ancient Greeks said that sport was the combination of strength and intelligence. The Olympics has strength and FIDE will bring the intelligence", summed up Ilyumzhinov.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is counting on the rapid chess inclusion in the programme of the Olympic Winter Games said in the interview to the news agency ’TASS’ the head of the Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. The meeting of Ilyumzhinov with the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach is scheduled for 19th of June.
"I think we will offer to include the rapid chess, where the players will be given 25 minutes. We have yet to discuss this with Thomas Bach. But I have a very good support ", said the head of FIDE.
The TASS interviewee expressed his confidence that chess would decorate the Winter Olympic Games.
