Did you know?

The Princely Family is a family of outstanding sportsmen and women

Starting with the Sovereign Prince, who has played a total of seventeen sports and took part in five editions of the Olympic Games between 1988 and 2002 in the bobsleigh. Although football is his first love, Prince Albert II also took part in two Paris-Dakar rallies, in 1985 and 1986. On his mother's side, his grandfather Jack Kelly was Olympic rowing champion in 1920 and 1924, and his uncle took part in four Olympics, winning a bronze medal in rowing in 1956. On his father's side, bobsleighing was already a family affair, as Guy de Polignac, cousin of Prince Rainier III, was a member of the French team in the 1920s. Finally, Princess Charlène has had the opportunity to showcase her talents as an outstanding swimmer: South African junior champion, winner of the Monaco swimming meeting and three-time winner of the 2002 World Cup. Princess Charlène also took part in the Olympic Games, coming fifth in the women's relay at the Sydney Games in 2000.

The "Queen of the Sea

When you think of Monaco's sporting associations, football is the one that springs to mind... But it's not the oldest. The oldest Monegasque sports association is called the "Société des Régates" and was founded in June 1888! If this name is no longer relevant today, it's because it spawned the Principality's two institutions, the Société Nautique and the Yacht Club, of which the Sovereign is Honorary President and President respectively.
Even today, this seafaring heritage continues to thrill the Principality with a season punctuated by the finest competitions:

• Monaco Classic Week, a tribute to nautical elegance
• The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, a showcase for sustainable innovation
• The Sportsboat Winter Series, a spectacular technical event

Monaco is home to a nine-time world champion...

... in the person of Daniel Elena! Co-driver with Sébastien Loeb, the pair reigned over rallying for a decade, winning a record nine consecutive titles between 2004 and 2012. The Monegasque has the distinction of being the only foreigner to have been voted champion of French champions by the daily L'Equipe (in 2007 and 2009)... May his compatriot Charles Leclerc follow in his footsteps!

A princely diagonal

Since its creation in 1924, and particularly since the 1960s, AS Monaco Football Club has exported the diagonal of its red and white shirt to the four corners of France and Europe. This unique design is the work of Princess Grace. In 1960, Monaco won their first title, and Grace Kelly came up with this unique diagonal. It was a jersey that brought the Monegasques luck, as the club won its first French championship the following season.

A week-long race for a noble cause

Throughout the year, the Principality of Monaco organises various events combining sport and charity. The No Finish Line, for example, is now a well-established event in the Principality. Since 1999, this race, which takes place in November and is open to everyone, has raised funds to support projects for disadvantaged or sick children, thanks to a system of €1 for every kilometre run. There is also a walk to raise awareness of breast cancer prevention and screening methods, organised by Pink Ribbon Monaco.