The 2024 Paris Olympic Games have come to a close. Over the last few weeks, the athletes who represented the Principality on the world stage have proudly embodied the values of sport so often promoted by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene: determination, unity and passion.
Following the Games’ Closing Ceremony on Sunday 11th August, the six Monegasque athletes have reflected on their individual and team experiences at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Since that incredible opening night on Friday 26th July, these young sportsmen and women have experienced sweet success, bitter defeat and endured challenges beyond what would normally be expected of them.
29-year-old rower Quentin Antognelli, who carried the Monegasque flag at the Closing Ceremony alongside swimmer Lisa Pou, delivered a particularly strong performance at the Games by winning the D final in the single sculls. He finished 19th overall.
Table tennis player Xiaoxin Yang, who is ranked 10th in the Olympic standings and 15th globally, faced a tough challenge in her opening match and was narrowly defeated by the Czech Republic’s Matelova (2-4). Despite this setback, Yang, who earned a silver medal at the 2023 European Games in Krakow, says she remains optimistic about her future in the sport.
Read more: Prince Albert II shows up in Paris to support Monaco’s Olympians
Swimmer Lisa Pou, 25, gave her all in the 10km marathon swim in the Seine, finishing 18th in her race. While she may have hoped for a higher placement, Pou’s efforts and determination remain impressive, especially considering her recent 9th-place finish at the World Championships.
Young swimmer Théo Druenne, 19, also delivered a great performance in the 800m freestyle, clocking in at 8:25:01 and showcasing his potential for future growth.
Sprinter Marie-Charlotte Gastaud, meanwhile, brought joy to Monaco by setting a new personal best of 12:41 in the 100m, where she finished 6th in her heat.
See more: Monaco’s Marie-Charlotte Gastaud smashes personal best at the Olympics
Judo competitor Marvin Gadeau (+100 kg) faced a formidable opponent in Cuban Andy Granda, the world’s 5th-ranked judoka and 2022 World Champion. Although he was ultimately eliminated, Gadeau’s performance demonstrated his potential on the international stage.
Prince Albert II proudly stated, “Of course, we would have liked to see different results, not necessarily talking about medals. We thought we would be ranked a bit higher, but that’s sport.”
He continued, “The Olympic Games are a competition that goes far beyond sport. It’s very special. You need to be able to adapt to different conditions… But I am very proud of our overall participation. Our athletes honoured the Principality.”
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Photo credits: Stéphane Maggi / Comité Olympique Monégasque