20 ° C
Profile

Day: 22 June 2020

Tennis star at centre of tournament Covid outbreak

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/06/2020

Monaco’s 100th case of Covid-19 is tennis star Grigor Dimitrov, who had just returned from an exhibition tournament in Croatia after feeling unwell. Two coaches and another tennis player have since tested positive, sending shockwaves throughout the tennis world.
Around the same time that the Monaco government revealed on Sunday that it had recorded it’s 100th case of Covid-19, the Bulgarian tennis ace Grigor Dimitrov took to Instagram to announce that he had tested positive for virus in Monaco. It was a chilling announcement, considering Dimitrov had been playing in the Adria Tour, an exhibition event organised by Novak Djokovic and his team.


The world number 19 had played in the Serbian and Croatian legs of the exhibition tournament and lost in straight sets to Borna Coric in Zadar on Saturday before returning home after feeling unwell.
In the wake of Dimitrov’s post, the organisers of the tour quickly took to Instagram to confirm the tennis player had returned a positive test in Monaco and announced the cancellation of the Grand Final scheduled for the coming hours, adding: “None of the people involved in the organisation and who have been in contact with Grigor have any symptoms.”
However, the fallout came swiftly and it was revealed just hours later that of the 22 people who had close contact with the tennis player and were tested, three had returned positive results – Borna Coric, the world No 33 from Croatia, Dimitrov’s coach Christian Groh and Djokovic’s fitness trainer Marko Paniki.
Djokovic and Dimitrov have reportedly been in extremely close contact in recent weeks, playing football and basketball matches together, hanging out and partying at a nightclub. Which is why many have questioned why Djokovic didn’t test himself for the virus before leaving Zadar. Apparently, he didn’t think it was necessary, with the tournament organisers releasing this statement:
“Novak did not feel any symptoms or anyone from his environment, including the professional staff, so he did not go for testing now. After arriving home in Belgrade, he will contact the epidemiologist, and he will continue the procedure to his doctor according to the recommendations of the medical service.”
Over 1,000 people have been tested since the news about Dimitrov’s health conditions broke. The 29-year-old is now being treated under the Home Patient Monitoring Centre in Monaco.
UPDATE: On Tuesday 23rd June it was revealed that World number one Novak Djokovic and his wife had tested positive for Covid-19. Tennis player Viktor Troicki had also returned a positive test.
Photo: Dimitrov playing at the 2019 US Open
 

Princess' Foundation raises money for Covid vaccine

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/06/2020

The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the 24 Hours of Virtual Le Mans have raised €21,500 to support medical research in the fight against Covid-19 and efforts to make a vaccination accessible to all.
On Saturday 13th June, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene were joined by their children Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella at the Automobile Club of Monaco to cheer on the #54 StrongTogether team, representing the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
“These 24 Hours of Virtual Le Mans have proven the successful combination of competition, passion and generosity,” said Princess Charlene. “My Foundation, with the StrongTogether car driven by Francesco Castellacci, Felipe Massa, Giancarlo Fisichella and Tony Mella for this unprecedented race, is committed to supporting medical research in the fight against Covid-19. We were also able to count on your mobilisation, your generosity, you the spectators, partners, organisers. Thank you all, with a special mention of course for the crew of the Strong Together car, which finished 8th in its category.”
Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, added: “The spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans can only radiate through relays – relays taken by drivers, relays between engineers and mechanics, relays between new technologies and the future of the automobile … Sharing and exchanging are the values ​​of our discipline. This 24 Hours of Virtual Le Mans could not take place with a different philosophy and this call for donations during 24 Hours, initiated by Princess Charlene of Monaco, was obvious of the bond which links Le Mans and Monaco, in the history of motorsport. I sincerely thank all the donors.”
All of the €21,500 raised will be donated to Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance – an international organisation created in 2000 which provides universal access to vaccination without discrimination.
These funds will complement the contribution made by the Principality of Monaco as part of the ‘Coronavirus Global Response’ initiative by the Commission European of which Prince Albert II took part on 4th May.
 
© Photo: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier
 
Related stories:
Monaco contributes to €7.4 billion coronavirus fund
Photos: Princely Family cheers on #54
 
 

Upcoming events in Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/06/2020

The September calendar is filling up with two more big events heading this way – the Asian-inspired ‘Made in Japan’ at the Grimaldi Forum and a concert by former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett.

Made in Japan, an exciting exhibition highlighting Japanese and Asian traditions, will take place from Friday 11th September to Sunday 13th September in the Espace Indigo at the Grimaldi Forum.

Guests can enjoy culinary delights from the East and take part in workshops and demonstrations where Asian and Japanese customs and traditions will be highlighted. Doors are open from 10am to 6pm. For tickets and info, go to www.grimaldi forum.com  

Progressive rock pioneer and former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett will be coming to the Principality on 18th September to the Opera Garnier for a one-night only appearance.

His new tour, based on a live album recorded during a 1977 concert at the Palais des Sports in Paris, called Genesis, Seconds Out, will be the focus of his concert, though he is sure to bring his hits and favourites alive as well. Doors for the concert open at 8pm and the show starts at 8.30pm. To request tickets, email ticketoffice@sbm.mc

 
 

Monaco joins in for World Refugee Day

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/06/2020

As part of its relationship with the United Nations refugee branch UNHCR, Monaco is now the agency’s main contributor per capita, supporting projects for displaced people across the globe – an achievement that was commended on World Refugee Day.
World Refugee Day is celebrated yearly on 20th June and honours the courage and determination of those who have been forced to abandon their homes and flee persecution and conflict.
According to UNHCR, nearly 80 million people are currently displaced. They are a mix of asylum seekers, refugees from their countries or those who have been uprooted from their homes and are living as displaced people within their own borders. That number of people represents 1% of the world population.
Monaco has been a major contributor to the UN Refugee Agency this year and has donated generously. The help is always much-needed, but with the pandemic, the plight of refugees and displaced people is more precarious than ever.
When Monaco’s aid contribution is broken down to a per capita amount, it would be as if every man, woman and child in the Principality offered the organisation €25. The agency supports projects in Lebanon, Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, and Niger who are offering help such as education for young people and children, access to employment and social services to help those who are emotionally struggling to find their way again.
 
 

Luxembourg receives new Monegasque Ambassador

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/06/2020

Isabelle Berro-Amadeï has been named and accepted as the new Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

In a ceremony held on 19th June at the Palais Grand-Ducal, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg welcomed Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, accompanied by her husband Bernard Amedeï, as the new Ambassador to his country.  

After delivering her credentials of accreditation, she was officially sworn in by the Grand Duke, who then invited the Ambassador and her husband to spend time with him in a private interview. During the meeting, the Grand Duke made particular note of the excellent relationship between Luxembourg and Monaco.

They also spoke of the after-effects of the health crisis on their respective nations, Monaco’s negotiations with the European Union, environmental protection controls and measures taken in the fight against global warming and climate change.  

For her part, the Ambassador thanked the Grand Duke for his government’s help during the confinement with regard to the delivery of protective face masks and discussed the benefits of the data centre based in Luxembourg which should allow sensitive data from the Principality to be safeguarded from cyber-attack or natural disaster.

Finally, the two representatives of their countries made a commitment to continue their strong alliance and good relationship in the coming years.

 
Photo: Isabelle BERRO-AMADEÏ et son époux Bernard AMADEÏ, avec Son Altesse Royale le Grand-Duc de Luxembourg ©DR