FAMOUS MONEGASQUES
He thought then he could try it one day . The opportunity turned out , soon after the Prince was enjoying a skiing holiday in St . Moritz ( Switzerland ) when he was offered a bobsledding test-drive together with a skillful driver . This was an experience he enjoyed as an amateur never thinking of his future competitive role . The following year , Prince Albert started to train himself at the invitation of a well-known coach . Things went pretty well including getting along with the team with whom he attended some competitions before qualifying for the Olympic games two years later . ‘ Carrying Monaco ’ s flag at the Olympics was very emotional , not only because you realize that you are at the biggest sport and cultural event on the planet and you are walking into a stadium full of people that are cheering you on , but you realize that you are representing your Country and a lot of people at home are watching you ’, pointed out Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2017 during an exclusive interview by the American journalist Graham Michael Bensinger . An unforgettable memory for the Prince who has always shared intensely the Olympic spirit with other athletes .
His extraordinary enthusiasm for that discipline has remained until nowadays . The Sovereign Prince , in fact , is the President of the Fédération Monégasque de Bobsleigh , de Luge et de Skeleton ( Monegasque Bobsleigh , Luge and Skeleton Federation ), that he founded in 1987 .
PRINCELY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS IN THE WORLD OF SPORT
The Sovereign Prince has held the role of International Olympic Committee member since 1985 and he has been particularly active in supporting their initiatives . He is also Honorary sympathizer of the Paralympic Games for their deep commitment in uniting people and promoting diversity .
Since 1994 , Prince Albert II of Monaco was appointed as chairman of the Monaco ’ s Olympic Committee , just as was his ancestor , Prince Pierre of Monaco , from 1952 until 1964 . The main mission of this significant institution is to arrange any official Olympic Games delegation from the Principality , and being constantly in touch with the International Olympic Committee ( I . O . C .) to comply with all its directives .
Since its establishment in 2007 , he has been the main sponsor of Peace and Sport , a neutral and independent international organization to enhance peace through sport initiatives in hotspots around the world . Fur-
Prince Albert , Honorary President and captain of the AS Star Team for the Children , attacking during the charity match against the F1 drivers . Stade Louis-II , May 2019
thermore , since 2011 he has been chairing the World Olympians Association and , from 2014 to 2015 , he chaired the Sport and Environment Commission within the I . O . C . His great support for all kinds of sport is underlined by His presence at the most popular matches like AS Monaco football & basketball Clubs and the Monaco Sevens Rugby that will take part in the Tokyo Olympics . His attendance at the Award Ceremonies of key sporting events like the Monte-Carlo Grand Prix and Rally , the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and the Monaco Run , an urban marathon , is a must as well .
Monaco ’ s attachment to Sport has never been stronger than today by the will of Prince Albert II of Monaco . His words pronounced on the occasion of the 2015 Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award appointing Him as the International Sports Figure of the Year within Peace and Sport , are thoroughly topical : ‘ Sport can foster stability , reconciliation and dialogue between communities and , in this troubled world , it has proven that it can even facilitate lasting solutions for peace which bestows political leaders with new responsibilities ’.
The Princely couple and the late Baroness Elizabeth-Anne de Massy , then President of the Monte-Carlo Tennis Club , with Rafael Nadal , the winner of the Rolex Monte- Carlo Masters ( April 2018 )
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