Hundreds of athletes from across Europe will come to Monaco later this month for a special swimming competition backed by Princess Charlene and Special Olympics Monaco.

On the weekend of 26th and 27th October 2024, the Special Olympics Monaco will host the prestigious Meeting européen de natation Princesse Charlène at the Centre Nautique Albert II. Under the patronage of Princess Charlène, this event will welcome more than 200 athletes from across Europe, including participants from countries such as Germany, Cyprus, Ireland, Gibraltar, and Slovenia.

The competition will be held from 9am to 5pm and is a key opportunity for athletes with intellectual disabilities to showcase their talents, with free entry for the public.

This is only the second time that Special Olympics Monaco has organised an event of this scale, following the Berlin World Games in 2023. Special Olympics, founded in the United States in 1968, spread to Europe in 1980, with Monaco being one of the first countries to join.

Under the leadership of Mireille Calmes and later Pierre Van Klaveren, the organisation has continued to support athletes with intellectual disabilities, helping them thrive through sports and represent Monaco on the international stage.

For more information: contact@specialolympicsmonaco.mc.

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