The Beijing Winter Olympics are fast approaching, and Heads of State all around the world are welcoming delegations that will soon be leaving for the Games.
Prince Albert of Monaco was no exception and on Tuesday, 18th January 2022, the Sovereign held a ceremony at the Monaco Yacht Club to announce the flag bearer for the Principality and wish the delegation good luck.
Monaco will have 28 year old skier Arnaud Alessandria as flag bearer for the 2022 Winter Olympics. The athlete has competed both nationally in France and Italy and internationally for the World Cup, with his best result being an 8th place in France’s National Championships in March of 2021.
While it is traditional for some Royals to attend Olympic Games in person, Beijing took the decision to close the Games to the public entirely because of Covid-19.
Despite its small size (it is the world’s second smallest nation), the Principality has a history of Olympic delegations. The Sovereign himself has competed in five Winter Olympic Games as a member of Monaco’s bobsled team.
Princess Charlene, who was not present for the event as she is still recovering from a mystery illness in an undisclosed treatment facility, has also competed in the Olympic Games as a swimmer for South Africa.
Prince Albert is also a Honorary Member of the International Olympic Committee, and has always been very involved in the sports panorama of the Principality, from football to horse riding, from winter sports to car racing.
The Beijing Winter Olympics will get underway on Friday, 4th February and run until Sunday, 20th February, and will see delegations from 90 countries, including Saudi Arabia and Haiti, who will be participating in a Winter Olympic for the first time.
