Mexico Olympics
From 17th to 27th October 1968, the XIX Olympic Games took place in Mexico. For the first time, over 110 nations gathered together. 6,620 athletes on parade the day of the opening in the Aztec Stadium, a chef d'oeuvre of Mexican architecture. Pedro Vasquez, President of the Organising Committee.
Opening Ceremony of the XIX Summer Olympic Games in Mexico
On their way to Mexico, Olympic shooters Michel Ravarino and Francis Boisson wish the two representatives of the Principality good luck :
rifle (50 metres) : Gilbert Scorsoglio and Joe Barral
Tokyo Olympics
The 1964 Olympics in Tokyo were the first in Asia. The Japanese asserted the successful reconstruction of Japan after World War II by selecting Yoshinori Sakai as the final torch-bearer, who was born in Hiroshima on the very day the city was destroyed by an atomic bomb.
Judo and volleyball appeared on the Olympic programme for the first time. 163 events united 5 151 athletes from 93 nations.
Unfortunately, for the sake of just a few months, fate did not allow H.S.H. Prince Pierre, who died on 10th November 1964, to attend the XVIII Olympic Games in Tokyo from 10th to 24th October 1964 as he had so much wanted.
The only representative of the Principality, weightlifter Réne Battaglia photographed with Joseph Asso, finished sixteenth out of nineteen in the middleweight category.
Weightlifter René Battaglia carries 165 kilos single-handedly
Rome Olympics
The Games of the XVII Olympiad were organised in Rome from 25th August to 11th September 1960. Of the 5 400 athletes from 84 countries, fourteen Monegasques formed the largest delegation ever presented by the Principality at the Olympic Games. They took part in three sports events: fencing, shooting and sailing.
The first events began for the Monegasques on 29th August with the fencers Henri Bini and Gilbert Orengo, who took part in the first épée round at the convention centre.
The Monegasque delegation on parade
On 5th September, the shooting event took place. Eighty-five competitors from 45 nations confronted each other in the 50 metre rifle event (prone position).
- 1st group: Pierre Marsan achieved the 25th score and beat France's second representative by five places
- 2nd group: Michel Ravarino, with the 37th score, did not qualify for the finals.
Gilbert Scorsoglio and Francis Boisson took part in the three-position rifle event, Francis Bonafède and Marcel Rué in the clay pigeon event. Pierre Boisson, Henri Bonafède and Alex Frolla were substitutes.
In the sailing event, Gérard Battaglia, Jean-Pierre Crovetto and Jules Soccal, aboard the “Demoiselle IV” finished in 23rd position, in the “Dragon” category beating the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Spain.
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Helsinki Olympics
Since the death of Count Gautier-Vignal, the Principality no longer had a representative within the International Olympic Committee. On 25th April 1949, the I.O.C. meeting in Rome for its 44th session, appointed Hereditary Prince Rainier as a member of the I.O.C. Unfortunately Prince Louis II died three years later, leaving the throne to his grandson, Prince Rainier III, who was not able to take part in the work of the I.O.C.
On 10th January 1950, H.S.H. Prince Rainier III officially submitted his resignation to President Sigfrid Edström and suggested that his father, Prince Pierre of Monaco, replace him. This proposal was accepted during the 45th session of the I.O.C. in May 1950 in Copenhagen.
Prince Pierre attended the Summer Olympic Games that took place in Helsinki from 19th July to 3rd August 1952. The events brought together 5 867 athletes representing sixty-nine nations.
The Monegasque delegation is led by Armand Fissore, Municipal Councillor (sports delegate) and President of the Regatta Society. Six athletes took part in the shooting events :
- 50 metre rifle (prone): Pierre Marsan, President of the Monaco Rifle Association (46th out of 58), Roger Abel (51st);
- 50 metre free pistol: Herman Schultz (39th out of 48);
- Rapid pistol on silhouette target (25 metres): Herman Schlutz (33rdout of 53), Charles Bergonzi (53rd);
- Ball Trap: Robert Robini (32nd out of 40), Marcel Rué (38th).
Two other representatives of the Principality also took part in the “Star” category sailing event: Henry-Michel Auréglia and Victor de Sigaldi (21st out of 21).
The National Sports Committee was to live its final hours. Two Sovereign Orders on 31st December 1952 (n° 688 and 689) would give new structure to Monegasque sport and open a new chapter enabling athletes from the Principality to go further.
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