PRINCE ALBERT II AND PRINCESS CHARLÈNE PRESENT THE 5 ATHLETES FROM THE MONEGASQUE OLYMPIC DELEGATION

Princess Charlène in her Armani ensemble to attend the presentation of the athletes (Photo: Claudia Albuquerque / Bestimage)

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène visited the Monaco Yacht Club on Thursday 27 June to present the five athletes who will be proudly wearing the Monegasque colours - literally and figuratively - at the forthcoming Olympic Games. The sovereigns and the athletes in their sailor suits unveiled the delegation's official attire.

Five athletes to represent Monaco at the Paris Olympics

In one month's time, from 26 July to 11 August, the Olympic Games will be held in Paris. On Thursday 27 June, the athletes in the Monegasque delegation were officially presented to the press. Five athletes will be defending the Monegasque colours at the next Olympics. 

It was impossible to ignore the two colours that were omnipresent at the team presentation ceremony.

Athlete Marie-Charlotte Gastaud, rower Quentin Antognelli, swimmer Lisa Pou, Princess Charlène of Monaco, Prince Albert II of Monaco, table tennis player Xiaoxin Yang, swimmer Théo Druenne and Yvette Lambin Berti, Secretary General of the Monegasque Olympic Committee, at the presentation of the athletes selected for the 2024 Olympics (Photo: Claudia Albuquerque / Bestimage)

The Yacht Club de Monaco welcomed Prince Albert II and his wife, Princess Charlène, for the official presentation of the athletes and their staff. 

Five athletes will continue the tradition of Monaco's presence at the Olympic Games. Despite the small size of the micronation, it has a special bond with this major event. 

Prince Albert II, who has himself taken part in five editions of the Olympic Winter Games, is a member of the International Olympic Committee. Prince Albert and his wife are already living to the rhythm of the Olympiad, having taken part in the Olympic torch relay that passed through the Principality ten days ago.

Prince Albert II proudly presents the five Monegasque sportsmen and women who will be leaving for Paris in a month's time (Photo: Bruno Bebert/ Bestimage)

The royal couple were surrounded by swimmers Lisa Pou and Théo Druenne, table tennis player Xiao Xin Yang, rower Quentin Antognelli and athlete Marie-Charlotte Gastaud. The name of the flag bearer was also revealed at the event. It is a duo who will have this honour, as the two swimmers, Lisa Pou and Théo Druenne, will together carry the red and white Monegasque flag. 

The athletes were already wearing the national costumes that they will wear during the presentation of the delegations at the opening ceremony. They will be wearing a red and white sailboat, a beret or a straw hat, and a red suit jacket, depending on the weather.

 Princess Charlène, a former champion swimmer who also took part in the Olympic Games in 2000, is delighted with the choice of honouring swimmers. 

Olympic blood runs in the veins of the princely family, since on Prince Albert's mother's side, his grandfather John "Jack" Kelly and his uncle, John "Kell" Kelly, were Olympic rowing medallists. Prince Albert II should also be one of the presenters at the rowing competitions, as this year coincides with the hundredth anniversary of Princess Grace's father winning a gold medal in rowing in 1924. He had already won one in 1920.

NICOLAS FONTAINE