The Olympiad in Dresden is over – Report from Tromsøs reception
The Tromsø 2014 team is very satisfied with their stay during the Dresden Olympiad, and feel that we are taken as a serious and good contender as host for the 2014 Olympiad. A lot of nice small talks with interesting people and more serious talks with important people have been done during the days in Dresden. We have been viewing a very impressive arrangement in Germany this time and have learnt a lot about what goes on behind the scenes. This will help us being more prepared in 2014. Well done Dresden.
When it comes to the two other Norwegian teams it was bit disappointing not to climb higher than the pre-rank, the guys in the open section was ranked as number 19 and ended as number 21. The women started out as number 40 and ended in place number 53.
Anyway – the Olympiad is a though tournament and the teams gave us excitement and joy during all the eleven rounds. Thanks to you all. Especially thanks to Kjetil A. Lie who has been telling us inside stories during the tournament as well as playing a very strong tournament. Also the captains of both teams Rune Djurhuus and Roaul Abrahamsen have sent us reports and pictures. Sadly most of the commentaries are still in Norwegian, but they will hopefully in a short time be translated into English.
A lot of pictures have arrived lately, and soon a picture gallery will be seen here as well.
Hang on… 2014 is coming sooner than you ever know! Before that we will be back in the Khanty Mansyisk in 2010 and hopefully all the three teams then we will be satisfied with their scores in the end.
The reception held at Maritim Hotel Dresden for Sjakk Tromsø 2014 bid announcement to the 2014 Chess Olympiad was a great success with approximately 250 participants. Through the reception that lasted from 20:00 to 22:00 there was offered delicious tidbits and different sorts of beverages for the thirsty ones. People socialized and mingled while Mr. Lars Andreassen introduced the formal part of the reception by playing beautiful indigenous music from Norway.
The opening speech was held by the chairman of the bidding committee Mr. Henrik Andenæs. He announced Tromsøs very clear ambition – to win the bid for the Olympiad in 2014. He also offered the chess world a unique experience through combining competent and experienced organizing skills in a friendly and exciting environment. Mr. Andenæs additional addressed Tromsøs active chess environment, which hosts an annual international Chess festival, Arctic Chess Challenge, in August every year, and further on stated that the tournament will be further upgraded in the coming years in order to prepare for the potential Olympiad in 2014.
The two other main speeches were held by the President from the Norwegian Chess Federation, Mr. Jøran Aulin Jansson and the Mayor of Tromsø, Mr. Arild Hausberg. Mr. Jansson clearly stated the Norwegian Chess Federations clear ambition to convince the world that Tromsø city, and the Norwegian Chess Federation will be a strong and serious contender in the bidding for the Chess Olympiad in 2014.
This declaration was supported from Mr. Hausberg who declared that being elected as the host city of the Chess Olympiad in 2014 is a major ambition for Tromsø. And the event, if they succeed in winning the bid, will engage the whole city. Further on the Mayor stated that a comprehensive cultural program will be an integrated part of a Chess Olympiad in Tromsø and include and create ownership to the Olympiad among Tromsøs inhabitants.
Børge Robertsen
General Manager
Sjakk Tromsø 2014 AS
www.tromso2014.no
Go Tromso!
Sheesh from Siberia in 2010 to the North Pole in 2014.