THE identity of the possible £2 million backer behind a rescue bid for Ireland's 1998 World Equestrian Games remains a mystery, but Dr Bo Helander, secretary general of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), met with the prospective sponsor in Dublin yesterday afternoon to discuss television rights for the games.

The £10.9 million scheme foundered earlier this month, in spite of several rescue packages and intense political lobbying, and the organising company World Equestrian Games Ireland Ltd was due to go into liquidation on Monday. But news of commercial backing worth £2 million stalled the scheduled wind-up of the company and has raised hopes that the games may still go ahead.

The lack of television contracts was seen as the root of the company's failure to attract sponsorship for the project, and Helander's meeting yesterday was designed to reassure the potential backer that television commitments would definitely be in place well in advance of the games.

Helander yesterday stressed that May 31st is the final deadline when the FEI executive meets during the Nations Cup meeting at Hickstead.