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No Finish Line: How the virtual race will work

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/10/2020

For the first time in its 21-year-history, No Finish Line will be held virtually this year. Here is everything you need to know about how to participate and rack up those kilometres for charity.

No Finish Line returns to the Principality for its 21st edition starting Saturday 14th November at 3pm for eight non-stop days until Sunday 22nd November at 3pm. The race has become a much-anticipated event for businesses and individuals in the community who don their sport shoes to walk or run for a good cause. This year’s ambitious goal is to collectively cover 400,000 kilometres. 

As Covid casts its long shadow, the organisers of the event have met the challenge by creating a way for participants to race without breaking health and safety rules. Rather than following a set course, contestants can choose their own paths and commit to covering as many kilometres as many times as they wish, using the Zapsports app to track their progress.

The same rules apply with regards to donations. For each kilometre run, Children and Future donates one euro to support projects for disadvantaged and sick children.

All racers need to do is download the app and select the No Finish Line race. When they are ready to go, they start the stopwatch and the distances are clocked by the app, where they will be continuously updated. The updates can be tracked on the Children and Future website (childrenandfuture.com) any time and the final scores will also be available there, as well as on social media. An awards ceremony will be held in the first quarter of 2021.

AS Monaco Basketball star Will Yeguete has signed on as a sponsor for the race, adding some star power to the event. Additionally, No Finish Line’s organisers will be holding a toy drive from Saturday 14th November to Saturday, 21st November at the Fontvieille Big Top to collect as-new condition toys for the region’s children affected by Storm Alex. They have also decided to dedicate a portion of the funds raised for projects to help the kids in the valleys most affected. 

Inscriptions for teams can be made on the Children and Future website up until 11th November at 6pm and for individuals until 22nd November at 12pm. The cost per participant is €12.

 
 

Ducruet takes up new role at Forest

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/10/2020

Louis Ducruet, son of Monaco’s Princess Stephanie, has joined Nottingham Forest football club as an advisor for international projects.
After weeks of speculation, Louis Ducruet, former vice-presidential assistant at AS Monaco, confirmed on Instagram that he has been recruited as part of the club’s backroom staff. The official role he will take on for the Reds is advisor for the team’s international projects.
“It is a great pleasure for me to announce that I’m officially joining NFFC,” Ducruet posted on Instagram. “I’m glad to join such a historical club, I’m ready for this new challenge! Let’s go Reds!”
In his new position, the 27-year-old will be helping the club expand its presence worldwide.
Louis Ducruet left his position at AS Monaco last summer after five years with the team. He started in the marketing department then moved up to international recruiting, followed by his last position as Assistant to Vice-President and General Manager Oleg Petrov.
Before accepting the two-year position in Nottingham, Ducruet was rumored to have been courted by clubs in Belgium and Switzerland.
Nottingham Forest expressed their “delight” at welcoming Ducruet and said that they hope he will “use his overseas experience to help expand the global presence of the club.”
 
Photo by Nottingham Forest football club
 
 

Moore launches new sustainability platform

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/10/2020

Monaco resident Christian Moore has officially launched Global Environment Media (GEM) with a team of likeminded nonprofit, civic and corporate leaders from the around the world. GEM is a content platform designed to educate, engage, and empower audiences to tell positive stories of progress about our planet.
Global Environment Media was launched on Friday 23rd October and coincides with the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.
Seeing the need for positive solutions that address the current environmental crises, Christian Moore, Vincent Roger, Dennis Kucinich, Michael Clemente, Elizabeth Kucinich, Marc Scarpa and Doug Scott joined forces to build a media company with the support of the non-profit organisation GEMA.
The aim is to “lead current and future generations to a healthier, more sustainable planet.”
The founders share a vision to curate, produce and distribute inspiring environmental stories with positive solutions.
“GEM embodies the mindset that people must fall in love with the natural world first in order to then be engaged and excited enough to save it. This was why we launched GEM as the first-of-its kind media network,” said Christian Moore, Managing Partner of GEM and president of the Global Environment Movement Association (GEMA).
GEM-TV.com will be divided into four primary sections: Live TV; Topics – with an expansive VOD library featuring ‘solution-oriented’ videos covering nine environmental topics: energy, climate change, people on earth, forests, the ocean, biodiversity, food, sustainable living and water; Research – an education section with infographics and academic papers serving as a portal to global environmental courses; and Kids – a special learning section for children.
“We believe in positivity and wanted to create a destination where people can explore stories of innovators who are impacting the world,” said Vincent Roger, Managing Partner of GEM and Treasurer of GEMA. “We know that governments can only go so far and together with GEM, individuals, businesses and NGOs can take action and catalyse the change needed to heal our planet.”
GEM has already partnered with 50 institutions, foundations, NGOs, and nearly 40 global advisory members.
 
 
 
 

Italy introduces restrictions and closures

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/10/2020

Neighbouring Italy is the latest country to reinforce strict new measures for bars, restaurants and public gatherings in a last-ditch effort to avoid a national lockdown.
“If this November we respect all these new rules we will be able to keep the epidemic curve under control… and face December, and the Christmas holidays with greater serenity,” Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told a press conference on Sunday.
Under the new rules, effective Monday 26th October to 24th November, bars and restaurants must close at 6pm and can stay open later only for takeaway service. A maximum of four people can sit at a table together. Consuming food and drinks in public places will also be banned from 6pm.
Cinemas, theaters, swimming pools, and gyms have to close, although museums can remain open. Gatherings for weddings, baptisms and funerals are banned, as are all events and fairs. Distance learning will be applied in high schools for at least 75%  of students.
Working remotely is strongly encouraged. Home visits from people other than relatives are strongly discouraged, as is leaving home for reasons other than work, study, health and emergencies.
Italy’s worst hit regions of Lombardy, Campania and Lazio had already implemented their own tougher local restrictions in the days before Sunday’s announcement, including nighttime curfews.
In acknowledging that businesses like bars and gyms will be hit hard by the new measures, Mr Conte ensured that the government will compensate with “substantial” financial aid.
On Saturday, Italy topped the half-million mark in the total number of confirmed coronavirus infections since the start of the pandemic.
 
Photo of Venice, source Pixabay
 
 
 

AS Monaco fall to Lyon

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/10/2020

Despite a strong start, AS Monaco wasn’t able to keep the momentum up on Sunday in a tough match against 6th ranked Olympique Lyonnaise, resulting in a 1-4 loss.
Playing on the opponent’s home turf, AS Monaco started the game against Lyon with gusto. They made several shots on goal in the first 15 minutes, but the Lyonnaise goalie, Anthony Lopes, was having a stellar game and his reflexes were sharp as tacks, thus stopping any points from being scored.
Lyon opened the scoring 12 minutes in with a shot by Memphis Depay, marking the first of four goals made in the first half. Lyon’s Karl Toko Ekambi racked up two goals within 10 minutes of each other in the 34th minute and the 44th and Houssem Aouar scored in the 41st. The score sat at 0-4 and things were looking a bit bleak for Monaco as they went into the locker room at halftime.
“They were very dangerous, especially in the first half,” said Monaco Coach Niko Kovac. “We did everything wrong in those first 45 minutes, where we made a lot of bad decisions, starting with me. I am the coach, I chose the team and the tactical system, so I take my share of responsibility for this loss. We weren’t active enough. We were too reactive. We didn’t close down the spaces when needed.”
The second half was a bit better for the Red and Whites, and they were playing well as a team. Wissam Ben Yedder made a fantastic play resulting in a goal in the 48thminute, saving his team from a complete blow-out and breathing some life back into the squad, but sadly not enough for a comeback. The score sat at 1-4 With Lyon taking the day.
“The team as a whole was too passive. I think we need to analyse what happened in that first half,” Coach Kovac reflected.
Monaco drops to 12th in Ligue 1 but have a chance to redeem themselves on Sunday 1st November when they will host Girondins de Bordeaux at Stade Louis II.
 
Photo courtesy AS Monaco
 
 

No more late nights out

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/10/2020

Bars and restaurants in Monaco have been ordered to close by 11.30pm under a new range of restrictions announced by Minister of State Pierre Dartout on Friday evening.
The announcement follows a decision by the French government to put the neighbouring Alpes-Maritimes department under a strict 9pm curfew.
“Even if the situation in Monaco is less worrying than elsewhere, I must tell you that it remains serious,” said the minister of state during a broadcast address to the citizens of the Principality.
“Today almost all of us know someone who has had to self-quarantine or who is or has been diagnosed with the virus,” he continued. “This shows very clearly that the virus is actively circulating. We are in the second wave.”
The minister revealed that the incidence rate in Monaco is 81.58 per 100,000 inhabitants, while in the Alpes-Maritimes the incidence rate is 153.
“This is why the 9pm curfew is justified in France, but it is not justified, for the moment, in Monaco,” said the minister. “What is worrying, however, is that this incidence rate has doubled in one week.”
As a result, the Prince’s government will be tightening restrictions in the Principality, effective Saturday 24th October and lasting until 1st December.
Bars and restaurants will have to close at 11.30pm and meal reservations will be mandatory. Tables will be limited to six guests, and meals at high standing tables is not allowed.
The government will further strengthen checks to ensure establishments are complying with the rules.
Meanwhile, the Monte-Carlo Casino will be closed from midnight.
Sports activities will be restricted once again, including the suspension of all “combat sports” apart from professional games, and amateur sports trips outside of Monaco will not be allowed.
Finally, the number of passengers on CAM buses will be limited, however there will be an increase in frequency during rush hour traffic to compensate for the limitations.
Financial assistance
To support affected businesses and employees, the government is maintaining support measures such as the CTTR (Reinforced Total Temporary Unemployment) and reductions in social contributions.
“And of course, as you know, the Princely Government is deploying an ambitious recovery plan to the tune of €75 million, approved by the National Council, to support our economy,” said Pierre Dartout.
The restrictions will be evaluated and discussed regularly at the Joint Monitoring Committee in conjunction with the National Council. “Any new measures which may be necessary will be submitted to the Sovereign Prince,” said the minister of state.
Gatherings with family and friends
According to the government, one in two Covid infections occur during extended family gatherings.
While not wanting to “intervene in the private sphere” because “Monaco is a country of freedoms”, the minister said the government strongly recommends people avoid large gatherings with friends and family, adding: “It’s about taking care of yourself and the people you love.”
Citizens are also advised to avoid unnecessary travel in regions heavily affected by the virus.
Workers
Residents from the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var who travel to Monaco for work and who are affected by the 9pm curfew will need to carry the appropriate French document which cites travel for professional reasons.
For Italian employees, it will be possible to cross the Alpes-Maritimes to reach Italy with the same French travel certificate.
Health system
The minister of state said Monaco’s hospital and patient care infrastructure is “efficient and ready”, adding: “Since the start of the crisis, our health policy has enabled us to ensure an effective response from the hospital by avoiding congestion.”
He also thanked the health professionals, doctors, nurses, hospital staff, laboratory assistants, and pharmacists who have been mobilised for several months “to ensure the best care in the face of this virus which is not yet fully known and for which there is still no vaccine.”
Covid testing
The minister said the Principality continues to expand its testing capacity, which is currently 1,850 per week. “Proportionately, we are among the highest in Europe,” said the minister, revealing that 1,400 PCR tests carried out last week.
Since the return of school, 648 tests have been undertaken returning two positives.
 
Photo © Monaco Government Communication Department / Manuel Vitali