The Olympic Flame to Visit Monaco on June 18, 2024
The Principality of Monaco will play host to a prestigious event on June 18, 2024, as part of the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay. This marks the second time the Olympic Flame will pass through Monaco since the Winter Olympics in Grenoble in 1968. The Flame’s journey is a significant prelude to the Paris Games, which will officially begin on July 26, 2024.
At 2:15 PM on June 18, the Flame will embark on its journey from Port Hercule, carried by six dedicated torchbearers who will relay it to the Palace Square. This symbolic event will highlight Monaco’s rich history and enduring connection to the Olympic movement.
Royal Participation and Olympic Legacy
H.S.H. Prince Albert II, a pivotal figure in Monaco’s Olympic history, will be a central part of this event. As President of the Monaco Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1985, Prince Albert has demonstrated unwavering support for the Olympic ideals. He is also the President of the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission. Prince Albert has competed in five Winter Olympics as a member of Monaco’s bobsleigh team, showcasing his personal commitment to sports.
Prince Albert first carried the Olympic Flame in 1996 for the Atlanta Summer Olympics and has done so on nine other occasions, both for Summer and Winter Games. His participation underscores Monaco’s dedication to promoting sports and the Olympic spirit.
H.S.H. Princess Charlene, an accomplished Olympic athlete in her own right, represented South Africa in swimming at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. Her athletic achievements further emphasize the royal family’s deep ties to the Olympic movement.
Promoting Sports and Peace
Under Prince Albert’s leadership, Monaco has launched numerous initiatives to promote sports among its youth and to inculcate the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Prince Albert’s engagement extends to “Peace and Sport,” an organization under his High Patronage that leverages sports to foster peace and social cohesion. Each year, he awards the Socrates Prize at the Ballon d’Or Ceremony, recognizing footballers for their contributions to social and charitable projects.
Monaco’s Olympic History
The Monaco Olympic Committee, established in 1907, has a storied history. Monaco first participated in the Summer Olympics in 1920 and hosted the Women’s Olympiad in 1921, a pioneering event that underscored the country’s commitment to advancing sports.
Monaco’s unique Olympic medal was awarded in 1924 at the Paris Olympics. Architect Julien Médecin received a bronze medal in the “art and literature competitions,” a category initiated by Pierre de Coubertin, for his design of a stadium in Fontvieille.
Since 1920, Monaco has sent delegations to the Summer Olympics 21 times and to the Winter Olympics 11 times since 1984, reflecting the principality’s enduring engagement with the global sporting community.
As the Olympic Flame lights up the streets of Monaco on June 18, it will not only symbolize the approach of the Paris 2024 Games but also celebrate Monaco’s rich legacy and future aspirations in the world of sports.