FIDE is aware of the speculation regarding the Tromso Olympiad and has written letters to both the Chairman of the Organising Committee and the President of the Norwegian Chess Federation.

Dear Mr Karde

We have seen the articles in the Norwegian press regarding the Tromso Olympiad, in particular where you are quoted. This is the first time that we are aware that there are any problems regarding the funding of the Olympiad. Perhaps, with hindsight, we should have realised when you unilaterally decided to ask for a €100 administration fee. As I have written several times, this was not in your original bid and is not accepted by FIDE. FIDE believes that if this had been disclosed in your bid, then the voting would have been different. This therefore cannot be charged. Please note 4.2.1 and 4.2.2 of the Regulations for the Chess Olympiad. Under 4.2.2, you are under obligation to keep the FIDE President informed of the financial aspects of the Olympiad, this you have not done. When I visit next week with Mr. Gelfer, I would be grateful if you could provide me with the required information under 4.2.1.

This whole matter is of great concern to FIDE and we have received many questions from Federations and the press. There is also plenty of speculation over the internet and all this causes uncertainty about the event. Please confirm to us on behalf of the Organising Committee that there is no chance that the Tromso Chess Olympiad will be cancelled. Federations, Delegates and Commission members are not going to buy their tickets unless we get such a confirmation. So we need to put an end to all this speculation.

I look forward to meeting with you next week.

Yours truly,

Nigel Freeman
FIDE Treasurer and Executive Director

Athens, 15 May 2014

Mr. Joran Aulin-Jansson
President
Norwegian Chess Federation

Dear JJ

Thank you for your email, which was the first official notification we have received that there may be some trouble regarding the financing of the Olympiad.

You say that there is no reason to be seriously worried, but we have already had questions from Federations and the press regarding this. You must also no doubt be aware of all the speculation on the internet.

Of course, so close to the Olympiad, FIDE is worried by this situation and we would like a confirmation from the Norwegian Chess Federation that there is no chance that the Tromso Olympiad will be cancelled.

Best regards

Nigel

FIDE advises that when the Norwegian Chess Federation submitted their bid for the Olympiad to the General Assembly in Khanty-Mansiysk, they were fully aware of all their obligations, including the holding of the World Cup in 2013.