Monegasque Olympic Committee

Report 2009

 2009

9^th edition of the European Youth Olympic Festival in Śląsk-Beskidy

- From 15^th to 20^th February 2009 the 9th edition of the European Youth Olympic Festival took place in Śląsk-Beskidy (Poland). A young Monegasque from the Monegasque Ski Federation, Arnaud Alessandria, took part in the Festival.

• On 20^th February in the giant slalom on extremely hard ice, Arnaud performed a very good first heat. Leaving 53rd, he finished 27th, which enabled him to leave in 4th place in the second heat (only the first 30 can take part in the 2^nd heat). In the second heat, he lost his binding in a hole and had to withdraw

Later in the season, the young skier demonstrated his skills by obtaining extremely good results: 1^st in the Super G, 2^nd in the Downhill and 3^rd in the Giant at the Junior World Championships (in his category: 15-17 yr olds)

- From 18^th to 21^st February the Chefs de Mission Seminar for the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games 2010 took place. Mr Jacques Pastor, in his capacity as Chef de Mission, who attended the seminar, was therefore able to obtain the latest information necessary for the delegation to take part in Canada.

- On 7^th March, the San Marino NOC celebrated its 50^th anniversary. H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince took part in the festivities relating to the event: 

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Taking part in the Chefs de Mission Seminar for the European Youth Summer Olympic Festival in Tampere (Finland) (21st /26^th April) provided Monaco’s Chef de Mission with the opportunity of meeting representatives of the Organising Committee and obtaining the information necessary for the delegation. 

On 1^st June, prior to the 13^th edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe, important decisions were made at the Executive Committee meeting and General Assembly, such as :

- admission of the Montenegrin NOC, which will take part for the first time with a small delegation in the Liechtenstein Games in 2011,

- election of Mr Angelo Vicini (San Marino) in the capacity of Secretary General of the GSSE for a 4 year period,

- election of Mr Jean-Pierre Schoebel (Monaco) in the capacity of President of the Technical Commission for a 2-year period. We are delighted about this nomination which is not only an acknowledgement of the qualities and efforts of Mr Schoebel, but also is a guarantee for Monaco to be represented at the technical discussions. 

From 10^th to 24^th June, like every year in Olympia, the International Olympic Academy held its 49^th session. Ms Cyrielle Orecchia attended the working sessions. The main topic was: The Olympic Games as a Celebration: Evaluation of the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008 and the Course towards the Olympic Games of Vancouver 2010. 

Within the scope of the Olympic Day celebrations, the Monegasque Olympic Committee sponsored three sports events:

- on 10th June: the 1^st FANB Monaco Challenge "Sport-Health-Environment”, which consists of an orienteering competition on sports and general knowledge subjects in the Fontvieille Gardens for secondary school students (1^st and 2^nd year),

Challenge FANB

- On 23^rd June, the 20^th School Games Athletics (7^th)

- and Inter-class Swimming 

The events were highly successful with 1,350 pupils from the various schools in the Principality taking part, all of whom received a diploma from the International Olympic Committee.

On 24^th June, the General Assembly of the International Committee of Mediterranean Games also took place. The Organising Committees for the Pescara 2009 and Volos 2013 Games presented their report. The 1^st Youth Olympic Games in Singapore 2010 also featured on the agenda of the meeting. 

The I.C.M.G.'s President’s Office was then elected. Mr Amar Addadi (Algeria) was re-elected as President and Mr Isidoros Kouvelos (Greece) was elected as Secretary General. 

Finally, the Macedonian Olympic Committee was admitted to the I.C.M.G. 

From 26^th to 5^th July, the 16^th Mediterranean Games took place in Pescara (Italy) 

The 10^th European Youth Summer Olympic Festival was held in Tampere (Finland) from 19^th to 24^th July. 

The Monegasque team consisted of: 

- Ms Solange Ragazzoni-Conterno (Chef de Mission)

- Mr Kevin Crovetto (Gymnast)

- Mr Sébastien Guizol (Coach)

The delegation

• 66^th out of 75 in the overall ranking
• 61^st for the Floor
• 49^th for the Pommel Horse
• 69^th for the Rings
• 26^th for the Vault
• 44^th for the Parallel Bars

• 72^nd for the horizontal bar 

The team’s efforts deserved recognition. Therefore, a reception was hosted at H.E. the Minister of State’s residence on 10^th September, in the presence of H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince. All those who had taken part in the major sports events (Games of the Small States of Europe, Mediterranean Games, European Youth Summer and Winter Olympic Fesitvals) were invited. 

SPORTEL: The 20^th edition took place from 12^th to 15th October. 

The Monegasque Olympic Committee contributed towards the publishing of the book commemorating this anniversary. 

The panel of judges 

The eleventh Illustrated Sports Book Award, once again this year, featured many extremely interesting books. 

The 38th European Olympic Committees’ General Assembly took place in Lisbon from 26th to 28th November. During the two days of meetings, a great deal of information was provided on the Olympic Games of 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016, as well as the 1^st Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. Various Commissions from the European Olympic Committees presented their report. 

The E.O.C. President’s Office was also elected. Consequently, Mr Patrick Hickey (Ireland) and Mr Raffaele Pagnozzi (Italy) were re-elected as President and Secretary General. Finally, Belgrade was chosen as the venue to host the 2010 General Assembly. 

At the same time, the Small States met at their General Assembly. 

One of the issues raised was the limited number of accreditations for those accompanying the athletes at the 1^st Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. In the current circumstances, the restriction does not enable the small countries to fulfil their duties and responsibilities with regard to young athletes by providing sufficient and proper supervision. A letter is to be sent to the International Olympic Committee in this respect on behalf of all the states concerned. 

Finally, a re-examination of the GSSE articles of association and technical regulations appeared on the agenda in order to obtain documents in conformity.

“Friendship Camp” - Singapore

From 6^th to 13^th December, as a prelude to the 1^st Youth Olympic Games “Singapore 2010”, a ‘Youth Camp' geared towards young athletes aged between 16 and 18, was set up in Singapore itself. 

Ms Marie Cattalano and Mr Stephen Bouaziz took part, together with over 260 youngsters from 130 Committees, in various cultural and sports activities. They told us that this had been a unique experience and that they had forged long-lasting friendships. Learning about the Olympic values – Friendship, Respect and Excellence - will undoubtedly be the underlying theme of the 1st Youth Olympic Games. 

Sports grants 

H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince awarded the following grants: 

- Sébastien Gattuso and Brice Etes (Athletics)

- Mathias Raymond (Rowing)

- Diane Ortolani-Dupont and Wenceslas Thomel (Equitation)

- Kevin Crovetto, Ilona Chiabaut and Karine Rico (Gymnastics)

- Romain Marchessou (Weighlifting)

- Yann Siccardi and Cédric Bessi (Judo)

- Pauline Ducruet, Amélie and Angélique Trinquier (Swimming)

- Alexandra Coletti, Olivier Jenot and Arnaud Alessandria (Skiing)

- Kéllian Platto and Anouk Doria (Taekwondo)

- Hervé Banti (Triathlon) and Damien Desprat-Lerale (Sailing)

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