“Outstanding” year for track and field athletes celebrated at World Athletics Awards in Monaco

Six of the top international champions and record-breakers of 2023 were honoured as World Athletes of the Year in Monaco earlier this week at the annual World Athletics Awards. Here are the winners of this year’s prestigious prizes. 

There was not just one World Athlete of the Year this time round at the World Athletics Awards, but six. The reason for the change is that 2023 was simply an exceptional year for sport; in the last 12 months, at least 23 track, field and “out of stadium” records have been smashed by competitors from across the globe, and many of those titles belong to the winners of this year’s roll call.

Among the six incredible athletes to be awarded World Athlete of the Year status are: Tigist Assefa, the Ethiopian marathon runner; pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis of Sweden; Kenyan marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum; 1,500m, mile and 5,000m runner Faith Kipyegon, also from Kenya; 100m and 200m sprinter Noah Lyles of the USA; and Venezuelan triple jump star Yulimar Rojas.  

Faith Kipyegon of Kenya beamed with pride as she was given her award by Prince Albert II of Monaco. Photo credit: World Athletics Awards, Facebook

“The depth of talent and the outstanding performances in our sport this year more than justify the expansion of the World Athletics Awards to recognise the accomplishments by these six athletes across a range of disciplines,” said World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe. “Our World Athletes of the Year alone have achieved seven world records between them in 2023, as well as a host of world titles and major wins, so it is only fitting that they be recognised as the athletes of the year in their respective fields.” 

The six winners were personally handed their awards by Prince Albert II of Monaco at the Palais Princier on Monday 11th December.  

Rising stars 

It was an excellent showing for the African nation of Kenya, as two of its up-and-coming athletes were also honoured for their individual efforts in the Rising Stars of 2023 category. 

Both Faith Cherotich, a steeplechaser, and Emmanuel Wanyonyi, a 800m and relay runner, won gold medals, as well as a clutch of silvers and bronzes, this year in U20 events.  

Other sporting personalities and federations to pick up gongs this year included: Swiss Laurent Meuwly, who took home a Coaching Achievement Award; President of the Togolese Athletics Federation Falilatou Tchanile-Salifou, who won Woman of the Year; Mattia Ozbot for Photograph of the Year; Athletics Australia, which picked up the Member Federation Award; runner Letesenbet Gidey, who won acclaim with the International Fair Play Award; and the Abbott World Marathon Majors competition, which won the President’s Award.

The award for Photograph of the Year was won by Mattiz Ozbot with his image of Leo Neugebauer in the decathlon pole vault in Budapest. Photo credit: Mattia Ozbot / World Athletics Photography Workshop

 

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Left-right in main photo: Noah Lyles, Kelvin Kiptum and Mondo Duplantis. Photo sourc: World Athletics Awards, Facebook

Which one is your favourite? Community unites to decorate Christmas trees for Action Innocence Monaco

Action Innocence Monaco is hosting its famous Christmas Tree Auction at the Hôtel de Paris, an important tradition that fosters awareness and fundraising for online safety initiatives.

Founded in 2002 with the patronage of Prince Albert II, Action Innocence Monaco has been a steadfast advocate for educating parents and children about the potential risks of the internet. The annual Christmas Tree Auction has evolved into a cherished tradition, embodying the foundation’s commitment to fostering a safer online environment for the younger generation.

Photo by Monaco Life

Sponsors, including some of the Principality’s exclusive boutiques and artists, participate by adorning Christmas trees with creativity and goodwill. The lobby of the Hôtel de Paris transforms into a magical forest, showcasing meticulously decorated trees that symbolize the foundation’s two decades of dedicated service. The enchanting display is open for public viewing in the days leading up to the auction.

Photo by Monaco Life

This year’s auction will take place on Wednesday 13th December at 6pm in Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. The festive evening will be accompanied by Christmas carols sung by the choir Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco, conducted by Pierre Debat. The event promises to be a celebration of community spirit and goodwill as Monaco comes together to support the cause of online safety for children.

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Main photo by Monaco Life

 

Lignes d’Azur network will soon stop accepting paper tickets on trams and buses

lignes d'azur

Paper tickets will cease to be accepted on the Lignes d’Azur public transportation network after 31st December. So what are tourists and causal users to do?  

In an effort to reduce waste and streamline operations, the Lignes d’Azur public transportation network started the switch from paper tickets to cards that can be topped up time and time again last July.  

A grace period designed to give people plenty of notice about the transition will come to an end after 31st December, which is now fast approaching, and those who are still clinging to their old paper tickets must soon embrace the change and pick up one of the reusable cards if they want to continue using the network of trams and buses.  

For those who have a still active multi-trip paper ticket, these journeys should be used up before the deadline as they cannot be transferred onto one of the plastic cards. If the rides are not used by the end of the year, they will simply become null and void.  

ADVANTAGES 

One of the principal benefits of the new card system is that the card can be used over and over again. Each card is valid for 15 years and subscriptions are available for regular users. Tickets can be purchased via the Lignes d’Azur website or smartphone app.  

Cardless tickets can also be purchased for those who don’t want the hassle of another card in their wallet.  

Click here for further information.  

 

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Photo source: Milind Shah, Unsplash

 

Minor speeding infractions in France will no longer lose drivers points in 2024

A new “common sense” law that will bring an end to point-taking for speeders caught doing less than 5kmph above the speed limit is set to come into force in the new year. 

As of 1st January 2024, a law regarding minor speeding infractions on French roads will come into effect. It means that drivers caught doing speeds of less than 5kmph over the legal limit will no lose face losing a point from their licence.  

The new law was first announced back in April, but was published on 8th December in the Official Journal. The legislative text states that although these minor infractions will no longer incur point loss, the driver may still be liable to pay a fine in the region of €68 to €135.   

The loss of a point remains applicable to drivers recorded doing 5kmph to 20kmph over the speed limit. Punishments above this increase dramatically. 

According to figures from 2020, 58% of drivers caught speeding in France did not exceed the 5kmph over the speed limit barrier.  

France’s Ligue Contre La Violence Routière has come out against the new “common sense”, which advocates say allows for momentary lapses and discrepancies, calling it “nonsense” and pointing to the 3,250 deaths that occurred on French roads in 2022 as reason to clamp down on speeders, not relive punishments.  

 

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Photo source: Mauro Sbicego, Unsplash

Christmas in Monaco: When and where to find choirs and carols this December

From a very special Christmas concert by the students of the Académie Rainier III to a choir singing carols in the Place du Casino, here’s when and where to enjoy some festive melodies this month.  

First up is the Golden Voices Stars Concerts on 16th December at the Espace Prince Jacques, just up the road in Beausoleil. This spectacular Christmas concert will unite renowned artists, winners of The Golden Voices Music Awards and the gifted talents of The Golden Voices Academy for a blend of classical music and seasonal hits.  

See more: Monaco to sparkle this Christmas with Golden Voices Stars Concerts

Next up, and to match with the stunning Christmas decorations that have turned the Place du Casino into a veritable winter wonderland, a choir is set to perform all your festive favourites in the heart of the Carré d’Or between 1pm and 5pm on 17th, 20th, 23rd, 24th and 25th December. Click here for more information.

Then, on 20th December, the students of the orchestra, choir and theatre classes at the Académie Rainier III will perform a special concert to close the calendar year at the Espace Léo Ferré. The programme includes a delightful mix of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs, which promises to captivate families and create lasting holiday memories. Reservations are essential and can be made here. 

Read more: 

Dates for the diary: Santa to tour Monaco’s most iconic locations this Christmas

 

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Photo via Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

AS Monaco releases limited edition replica of 2003/04 Champions League jersey

as monaco champions league

20 years after AS Monaco made it to the UEFA Champions League finals, the football club has released a limited edition replica of the jersey worn by its players during that unforgettable campaign.  

AS Monaco has collaborated with COPA to commemorate the 20th anniversary of a season in which the Monegasque Rouges & Blancs reached the pinnacle of European football.

The limited edition replica serves as a symbolic nod to the monumental achievements of a team that was led by legendary players like Ludovic Giuly, Fernando Morientes, Jérôme Rothen, Patrice Evra, Flavio Roma, Gaël Givet and Dado Pršo, who together helped etch the name of one of Europe’s smallest nations into the history of the continent’s biggest footballing league.  

Ludovic Giuly, star of the 2003/04 season, in the new limited edition jersey. Photo credit: AS Monaco

Among the highlights of that famous 2003/04 campaign was a historic 8-3 victory over Deportivo La Corogne at the Stade Louis II in the group stage. The team, under the guidance of then-manager Didier Deschamps, later continued their triumphs by overcoming the Galacticos of Real Madrid in a quarter-final showdown and then securing a thrilling victory against Chelsea in the semi-finals, which earned them a spot in the final at Gelsenkirchen. 

Collector’s edition 

This newly released collector’s edition jersey faithfully replicates the design of the original, but with a modern twist. For the first time, it features an NFC chip beneath the Champions League badge on the right sleeve. This innovative addition allows supporters to access exclusive content and surprises related to this unforgettable journey through the ZATAP app. 

Reliving core memories 

AS Monaco has been actively collaborating with COPA in recent years to bring back to life various legendary kits, including those from the 1996/97, 1987/88 and 1982/83 seasons. 

This newest addition to the series is not just a piece of memorabilia, but a portal to relive the triumphs of the past, ensuring that the club’s remarkable history remains an integral part of its vibrant future. 

The jersey is available for purchase online and at the official boutique, which can be found at Les Jardins d’Apolline, 1 Promenade Honore II, Monaco.  

 

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Photo credit: AS Monaco