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THE GAME OF bridge may flex the intellectual muscles but the EU’s top court ruled today that it is not a sport because it involves “negligible” physical activity.
Beloved by seniors and requiring a sharp memory, a keen analytical brain and near telepathic understanding with one’s playing partner, bridge is one of the world’s most popular card games.
But the European Court of Justice ruled that these mental gymnastics were not enough to classify the game as a sport, rejecting a claim by the English Bridge Union for value-added tax (VAT) relief on tournament entry fees.
The court said that for the purposes of VAT rules, the “ordinary meaning” of sport should apply, namely activities that are “characterised by a not negligible physical element”.
“The court concludes that an activity such as duplicate bridge, which is characterised by a physical element that appears to be negligible, is not covered by the concept of ‘sport’ within the meaning of the VAT Directive,” the court ruled.
Duplicate bridge is a variation on traditional contract bridge that is widely used in competitions.
The court said it accepted the game involved “logic, memory and planning, and may constitute an activity beneficial to the mental and physical health of regular participants”, but ruled that this was trumped by the physical activity requirement.
Devoted players however could still have a trick up their sleeve: the court said its ruling did not preclude that the game could be covered by another VAT exemption for “cultural services”.
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Shocker beauty pageant contestant wants world peace!
She’s a supporter of Falun Gong. Tens of thousands of Falun Gong supporters have been killed since the nineties. Many have even had their organs taken for transplant, some have even been required to become living organ donors. The whole situation is appalling. Anyone who can publicise this or embarrass the Chinese government into stopping this oppression deserves some respect.
If Miss World Pageant means what they say, they should move the event to another country which is not China and publicly condemn China’s attitude. This is their golden chance to put their money where their mouth is and prove that Miss World is not about the stereotype of some brainless bimbo saying that she wants world peace.
Women have far to much to say nowadays
Very chauvinistic statement about the weaker sex Jiminy.
We should definitely start lecturing China on human. They need to become as peaceful stable as Europe
In fairness though, picking on a member of the Falun Gong movement is like picking on a Hari Krishna. As far a spiritual practices go it’s fairly harmless. The Chinese government dislike it purely because it offers “enlightenment” through oneself and not as part of a , government controlled, collective. They’re OK with religions that have a centralized power as it’s easy to influence a small few leaders and let their influence trickle down. The more complex the belief system the better. It’s almost impossible to influence individuals practicing very simple beliefs.
Ms World candidate? I hope she has a great personality
She should say me so sowwy.
Fail.
W.O.C Oh you such a eejit, ohh you fail, you fail big time.
People still say fail? Ha gay.
Ha people still say gay? FAIL
I’m confused, why does she need a visa in the first place if she’s from China?
She moved to Canada when she was 13. If she acquired Canadian citizenship then according to Chinese government rules, she automatically forfeits her Chinese citizenship.
It’s not automatic. If you are entitled to another citizenship you can choose when you turn 18. Like a lot of Asian countries, China doesn’t allow dual citizenship.
Organisers don’t have the balls to pull out of China. Disgraceful that they will consider it even with this kind of intimidation going on.
Hen piaoliang de guniang.
Vive le Canada
Hai xing :/
She can stay with me if she can’t get back in
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