Princess Charlene has been appointed vice-president of the Monegasque Olympic Committee, further strengthening her long-standing commitment to sport and Olympic values in the Principality. The appointment was confirmed during the Committee’s recent General Assembly.
Before becoming Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock was a competitive swimmer of the highest level. She represented South Africa at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, as part of the women’s 4×100 metres medley relay team, which placed fifth. She retired from competitive swimming in 2007.
In her new role, she joins her husband at the helm of the organisation. Prince Albert II has served as president of the Monegasque Olympic Committee since 1994 and holds several senior IOC roles, including deputy chairman of the Athletes’ Commission. The appointment creates what is believed to be a rare dual-Olympian leadership of a national Olympic committee — Prince Albert having competed for Monaco in bobsleigh at five consecutive Winter Games between 1988 and 2002.
In a statement released by the Prince’s Palace, Princess Charlene said: “Sport taught me discipline, respect, and self-improvement. Today, I wish to place this experience at the service of athletes. I approach this role with a deep sense of commitment. Sport carries within it not only the pursuit of excellence, but also the responsibility to unite, inspire, and pass on values.”
As vice-president, she will help support Monegasque athletes throughout their careers while contributing to programmes focused on high-level performance, inclusion and ethical sport.
The appointment adds to a growing portfolio of sporting leadership roles for the Princess. Since October 2024, Princess Charlene has presided over the Monaco Rugby Federation, whose development she has driven through the Sainte-Dévote Tournament — an international U12 rugby competition she founded in 2012 — and more recently through the first Monaco Sevens tournament, held at the beginning of May. She is also a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics.
The announcement comes days before the opening of the Mare Nostrum swimming meeting at the Albert II Nautical Centre in Monaco (23rd and 24th May) — an event the Princess holds close to her heart given her swimming background.
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Photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier