From the Chess archiv of Chess-Results.com: Article: 1064 from 01.07.1999, Category International

Schach ist Sport: FIDE in das IOC aufgenommen!

Wie wir dem nachstehenden von der US-Chess Federation unter der Adresse http://www.uschess.org/news/press/uspr9915b.html veröffentlichten Rundschreiben entnehmen, hat das IOC in seiner vom 13. bis 15. Juni in Seoul abgehaltenen Exekutivratssitzung den Weltschachbund FIDE als offizielle Föderation aufgenommen.

WORLD CHESS FEDERATION OFFICIALLY
RECOGNIZED BY THE IOC

FIDE (Federation Internationale des Eches), the world governing body of chess has become an officially recognized Federation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as of June 21, 1999.

The historic decision was confirmed in a letter to FIDE, signed by Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the IOC, in which he said:

"It is my pleasure to inform you that the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee decided in its meeting in Seoul on 13th -15th June 1999 to grant recognition to the World Chess Federation (FIDE) as a Recognized Federation, pursuant to Rule 29 of the Olympic Charter."

United States Chess Federation (USCF) Executive Director Michael Cavallo said, "Now that the World Chess Federation (FIDE) has become a recognized Federation of the International Olympic Committee, the next step will be to gain similar recognition for the United States Chess Federation by the U.S. Olympic Committee. This is a significant step forward for the sport of chess."

Mr. Artiom Tarasov, the President of FIDE Commerce, a company set up in London to handle commercial rights to the game, said: "Although there are some 6 million registered players worldwide, until now chess has been one of the least commercially exploited sports in the world. It is hoped that today's historic decision by the IOC will help give chess recognition that it deserves, and give us the support we need to develop the game's vast global potential."

For more information about this and other scholastic chess events, contact Executive Assistant Barbara A. DeMaro, U.S. Chess Federation, 3054 NYS Route 9W, New Windsor, NY 12553; phone: (914) 562-8350; FAX: (914) 561-2437; World Wide Web: http://www.uschess.org