Prince Albert II has travelled to the city of Argenteuil, northwest of the French capital, to participate in a special commemorative event paying tribute to his maternal grandfather, John B. Kelly, a triple Olympic rowing champion, and his cousin and teammate at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games, Paul Costello.
On 9th December, the city of Argenteuil, on the banks of the Seine, reflected on the achievements of Kelly and Costello at a commemorative event held near the Argenteuil Rowing Club, close to where the two US rowers won gold on 17th July 1924.
Among those who gathered on the newly named Quai John B. Kelly was Prince Albert II of Monaco, Kelly’s maternal grandson. Several other members of the extended Kelly family also travelled to the event, including John B. Kelly III, as well as Valérie Pécresse, President of the Île-de-France Region, Philippe Court, Prefect of Val-d’Oise, and Patrick Ollier, President of the Greater Paris Metropolis.
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Accompanied by the Mayor of Argenteuil, Georges Mothron, Monaco’s Prince Albert officially unveiled the sign designating the quay’s new name, which now stands as a lasting reminder of Kelly’s extraordinary contributions to the sport of rowing.
PHOTO EXHIBIT
As part of the commemoration, guests at the ceremony were invited to explore a photographic exhibition installed along Quai John B. Kelly. Developed in collaboration with the Archives of the Prince’s Palace, the exhibition featured 10 striking images that recounted Kelly’s historic triumphs at the Antwerp Olympic Games in 1920 and the Paris Games in 1924. This visual display celebrates both the sporting prowess of Princess Grace’s father and his enduring influence on the world of rowing.
Adding a contemporary touch to the occasion, a fresco by urban artist Sckaro capturing the dynamic spirit of John B. Kelly and Paul Costello in action has been painted on a nearby municipal building. The mural commemorates the duo’s legendary performance and bridges the past with the present, offering another tribute to a great sporting achievement.
The day concluded in the serene gardens of the Argenteuil Abbey, where official speeches were delivered. In his address, the Prince highlighted the symbolism of the tribute, emphasising the historic and friendly ties connecting Monaco, France and the United States.
He also spoke of the universal and enduring power of sport as a medium for fostering friendship and solidarity—values that resonate deeply in the context of the recent Paris Olympic Games.
To see more from the event, click on the images below:
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Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Palais Princier de Monaco