IMSA

While Chess and Bridge are still making noises about becoming Olympic Sports, I'm glad to see they haven't put all their eggs into one basket. In 2005 administrators from the World Organisations representing Chess, Bridge, Go and Draughts got together to form the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA). Until now there had been a lot of talk, but not a lot of action.
But in the last week IMSA announced the first World Mind Sports Games, to be held in Beijing from the 3rd to 18th October, 2008. Along with the four member sports, Chinese Chess will also be part of the games. A news report is here. As the report says "The specific events will be discussed and decided later"
So while it isn't the Olympics yet, it may lead there eventually. One of the problems that non-Olympic sports have in getting to the Olympics is that there is no room for them in an already crowded schedule. Personally I think the IOC should consider having 4 separate Olympics, consisting of Summer, Winter, X-Treme (eg Mountain Bike Bungee Jumping) and Indoor Games. 4 years between each Games, with one being held every year. If the World Mind Sports Games becomes successful, maybe the IOC will become interested in taking it on.