The 25th Winter Olympics opened on Friday 6th February with a ceremony at Milan’s San Siro Stadium accompanied by multiple festivities at venues across the Italian Alps in Cortina, Predazzo and Livigno, marking the start of more than two weeks of competition featuring 92 nations and nearly 3,000 athletes.
Earlier in the day and before the main ceremony kicked off, Prince Albert II attended a reception of heads of state at the Palazzo Reale in Milan, hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella alongside Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Then in the afternoon, the opening ceremony took place at Milan’s packed San Siro Stadium with the spectacular parade of nations.
However, the evening saw an unusual moment when Monaco’s flag was carried not by an athlete but by a lucky Olympic volunteer, as the principality’s sole competitor, alpine skier Arnaud Alessandria, had opted to rest ahead of his race the following morning. The ceremony traditionally concluded with the lighting of the Olympic flame, officially opening the Games.
Prince Albert presenting the Olympic medals
Competition began the following day with the men’s downhill on Bormio’s challenging Stelvio piste and the men’s snowboard big air at Livigno’s snow park. Prince Albert II later had the honour of presenting the medals at the awards ceremonies.
In the downhill, Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen claimed gold ahead of two Italian skiers, Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris, who took silver and bronze respectively in front of their home crowd.
Japan enjoyed a dominant performance in the men’s snowboard big air, with Kira Kimura winning gold and Ryoma Kimata securing silver. China’s Su Yiming rounded out the podium with bronze.
Pride in Monaco’s representative
Speaking after Alessandria’s 31st place finish in the downhill, Prince Albert expressed his pride in the Monegasque skier’s achievement.
“Arnaud delivered a fine descent,” he said. “Obviously, he is a little disappointed – with very good conditions on Saturday, he would have liked to be able to express himself more on this piste. But we must also remember where he was six months ago. He was in full recovery after major surgery, with two operations for herniated discs. He probably still lacks a bit of competition, but to return to this level under these conditions is remarkable. I am very proud of what he has accomplished and very happy to see him rediscover these emotions and these Olympic joys.”
The Prince’s perspective comes from personal experience. As a veteran of five Winter Olympics in bobsleigh, he carried Monaco’s flag at the Opening Ceremonies in 1988, 1994, and 1998.
“Being flag bearer for one’s country, as I had the honour of being, is an absolute exceptional moment,” he said.
Now, looking ahead to Alessandria’s super-G race on Wednesday, the Prince remained optimistic. “This is very encouraging for the super-G on Wednesday,” he said. “I am convinced he can achieve a very good result.”
Supporting the Monegasque delegation
Prince Albert II’s presence at the Games carried particular significance for Monaco’s Olympic team. As President of the Monaco Olympic Committee, the Prince regularly travels to support the Principality’s athletes at major international competitions.
Yvette Lambin Berti, Secretary General of the Monaco Olympic Committee, highlighted the importance of the Prince’s attendance at Bormio and also congratulated on her side Alessandria on his performance in the demanding downhill event.
The Winter Olympics continue now across the Italian venues until the Closing Ceremony on 22nd February
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Main photo credit: Christian Petersen / Cameron Spencer / Getty Images