Prince Albert has revealed that Monegasque skier Arnaud Alessandria will be the Principality’s flag bearer in the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, while bobsleigh duo Rudy Rinaldi and Boris Vain will also form Monaco’s team of athletes.
The presentation ceremony took place in the ballroom of the Monaco Yacht Club on Tuesday and brought together athletes, trainers and organisers as they prepare to leave for China in under two weeks’ time.
All three athletes are participating in their second Winter Olympics. Skier Alessandria competed in Sochi in 2014, whilst bobsledders Rinaldi and Vain both attended the 2018 instalment in PyeongChang. Anthony Rinaldi will be in reserve.
The 2022 games will represent the 11th consecutive Winter Olympics for Monaco, with Prince Albert II participating in five of those as a bobsledder. “I was very lucky to participate in five editions,” said the Prince during the presentation. “It was a unique and intense experience.”
He added, “During the tumultuous time that we are going through, these Olympic games constitute a pause, bringing hope and joy for everyone… Let’s be grateful for the privilege and the luck that has been given to us to experience these strong values, to represent worthily the Olympic Committee of Monaco and the Principality of Monaco during this exceptional event.”
It was announced during the presentation that Alessandria will have the honour of carrying the Monegasque flag during the opening ceremony on 4th February.
The Winter Olympics come just months after the delayed Tokyo Olympics, and the build-up has been dominated by both the Covid pandemic and the political back-drop of human rights abuses in China.
Despite a myriad of distractions, the focus of the athletes and indeed of the world is now firmly on the sport, as one of the greatest shows on earth gets underway in just over a fortnight.
Stay tuned for Monaco Life’s interview with skier Arnaud Alessandria.
Photo left to right: Anthony Rinaldi, Arnaud Alessandria, Prince Albert II, Boris Vain and Rudy Rinaldi, by Luke Entwistle for Monaco Life