The M.O.C. up until 1996
Article Index
The Monegasque Olympic Committee
The Monegasque Olympic Committee, under the patronage of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III, was formalised in 1953 by Sovereign Order n° 688 of 31st December 1952.The purpose of the Committee is to prepare and ensure the Principality’s representation at the Olympic Games organised by the International Olympic Committee.
As it has to comply with the directives set forth by the I.O.C., both as far as defending the Olympic spirit and the use of Olympic terms and emblems are concerned, the M.O.C. is required to remain in constant contact with the I.O.C., and its president is the only authority entitled to represent the interests of the Monegasque Federations and Sports Groups.The M.O.C., the executive body, is assisted by an advisory committee made up of advisers who represent the various sports included on the Olympic Games programme.These advisers are appointed for four years by Ministerial Decree.The president and the members of the M.O.C. are appointed for a four-year period by Sovereign Order.
On the following 9th February, the Secretary General, Pierre Marsan, sent a letter to the Chancellor Otto Mayer at the I.O.C. headquarters in Lausanne, informing him of the new provisions. |
A week later, the M.O.C. met at the shooting range for an “inaugural” session presided over by the Mayor of Monaco, Charles Palmaro, Vice-President of the M.O.C., who substituted for the occasion, H.S.H. Prince Pierre.The President of the M.O.C. paid tribute to the National Sports Committee, which had just been stood down, and then redefined the goals which the Committee should pursue according to the wishes of the Sovereign Prince :
- Stimulate sport, by encouraging sports groups ;
- Motivate sport, by seeking out and detecting young champions and providing them with every help.
From 1st July to 30th September 1953, the M.O.C. organised sport competitions three times a week to spur on young swimmers as they prepared for the Olympics.
H.S.H. Prince Pierre of Monaco, standing next to young athletes having achieved the regulatory imposed swimming times while training for the Olympics:Jean-Louis Campora (on the right), G.Vuidet (on the left) and MissJ.Gaggino.
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Monaco Yacht Club, Monday 28th December 1953 |
In the spring of 1954, whilst H.S.H. Prince Pierre was attending the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the revival of the Olympic Games in Lausanne, the Principality was also commemorating the event.The Monegasque Olympic Committee, assisted by the members of the Advisory Committee, met in the Louis II Stadium to pay tribute to the Olympic flag to the sound of the Monegasque national anthem.
The beginning of 1955 was marked by a key phase in the history of Olympism.At the instigation of H.S.H. Prince Pierre of Monaco, the M.O.C. set up a competition to create a new version of the Olympic anthem.
In 1963, H.S.H. Prince Pierre of Monaco spared no efforts.He travelled to Lausanne to the I.O.C. headquarters to take part in certain working sessions and then left for Baden-Baden to attend the 61st session of the I.O.C.Extremely weakened by illness, he passed away on 10th November 1964. Homage was paid to him in the 89th I.O.C. Bulletin in February 1965 by the Vice-President Armand Massard.
1965 - 1975
Between 1965 and 1967, the M.O.C. underwent several changes.S.O. n° 3315 of 16th April 1965 placed the M.O.C. under the presidency of H.E. MrPaul Noghès, the Principality’s Secretary of State and established the new committee with the following seven members :
- Jacques de Millo Terrazzani, Vice-President.
- Henri Crovetto, Treasurer General.
- René Sangiorgio, Secretary General.
- Dr Charles Bernasconi, Dr Louis Orecchia, Jean-Jo Marquet and Raymond Sangiorgio, President General of the A.S.M.
S.O. n° 3354 of 26th June 1965 amended the status of the advisors and members of the Advisory Committee who would from then on be appointed for one year only.
By S.O. n° 3700 of 9th December 1966, the Treasurer General and the Secretary General were to swap roles.Finally upon the request of the President Paul Noghès, who wished to terminate his mandate, S.O. n° 3843 of 3rd July 1967 fixed the new line-up of the committee with Jacques de Millo Terrazzani as its President.
The M.O.C. was to begin the 1968 Olympic Year with a salient event. Before heading towards Grenoble, where the 10th Winter Olympic Games were being held, the Olympic torch from Olympia crossed the Principality of Monaco on 20th January.Fourteen Monegasque athletes took it in turns to carry the flame to the Louis II Stadium where they ran a lap of honour.The Principality however was not represented at these Games.
Saturday 20thJanuary 1968. The Olympic Torch, carried from Nice by Emile Battaglia and Jean-Pierre Crovetto, enters the Principality where it is welcomed on Quai Albert I by Edmond Pizzi, escorted by young skiers.
In 1972, the I.O.C. had a new President, Lord Killanin, the Consul of Monaco in Ireland to whom the outgoing President, Avery Brundage, presented the symbolic key of the Château de Vidy in Lausanne, the headquarters of the I.O.C. since 1968.
At the beginning of May 1973, the Principality of Monaco hosted the 4th General Assembly of the National Olympic Committees of Europe, presided over by Count Jean de Beaumont, also President of the French Olympic Committee and Vice-President of the I.O.C.Twenty-eight European countries from the thirty-two members of the E.O.C. were represented at this meeting.Iceland, San Marino, Malta and Albania were excused.
H.S.H. Prince Rainier accompanied by Lord Killanin.In the centre (in the background) Count Jean de Beaumont. |
After welcoming H.S.H. Prince Rainier of Monaco, Lord Killanin opened the Friday 4th May session at the International Meeting Centre before a hundred or so delegates.
The work formed the foundation for a real permanent and active partnership between the Olympic National Committees of Europe. In the spring of 1973, the presence of some of Europe’s top leaders in sport in Monaco provided the opportunity for the organisation of an Olympic Day on Sunday 6th May during which various sporting events in compliance with the Olympic standards took place.
This special day concluded with a medal award ceremony at the Rainier III Water sports Stadium, presented by the Monegasque Olympic Committee.
Count Jean de Beaumont presents the Hereditary Prince Albert with the bronze medal from the Monegasque Olympic Committee for the Lycée Albert I swimming team to which he belongs. |
With over sixty-six years of passion behind it, the Monegasque Olympic movement continued its mission.The M.O.C. did not just send representatives to the O.G. but also contributed to youth education by encouraging sports activities.1975 provided the M.O.C. with new structures giving it its own personality.
1975 - 1982
In the early summer of 1975, the M.O.C. met to examine the amendments that needed be made to its articles of association so as to satisfy the recommendations of the I.O.C.
On 25th June, the elected representatives of the Principality’s sports federations:Paul-Louis Auréglia and Antoine Romagnan (Fencing), Henry Rey and Edmond Aubert (Weight lifting), Dr Charles Bernasconi (Judo), Michel Ravarino and Francis Boisson (Shooting), Jean-Louis Marsan (Sailing), drew up draft articles of association stipulating that the purpose of the M.O.C. would not only be
“to ensure the development of the Olympic movement and amateur sport”, but also “to stimulate in the young both the physical effort and mental qualities that form the basis of amateur sport, as well as contributing towards respecting and maintaining peace between nations by inviting athletes from across the globe to an impartial and friendly competition every four years..”
In order to assert its independence vis-à-vis the sports federations and the State, the M.O.C. provided that it would now consist of a General Assembly formed of active members of Monegasque nationality, no longer appointed by Sovereign Order, but elected every four years by the General Assembly of each Monegasque sports federation.
On the following 19th September, the elected active members proceeded with the elections for the members of the new M.O.C. office:
- President:Mr Henry Rey,
- Vice-President:Jean-Louis Marsan,
- Treasurer:Francis Boisson,
- Secretary:Antoine Romagnan.
On 30th October 1975, Sovereign Order n° 5 692 granted civil status to the M.O.C. which took the form of an association governed by Law n° 492 of 3rd January 1949. The Ministerial Decree of 30th October 1975 ratified the authorisation of the said association and approved its articles of association
The M.O.C. was thus able to pursue its action in the best conditions and to strengthen its ties, on an international level, with the top European Olympic authorities by ensuring the participation of one of its representatives in the General Assemblies of the National Olympic Committees of Europe.
In early 1976, the Monegasque Sailing Federation appointed Mr Michel Boéri as the second delegate to the M.O.C., which now consisted of ten active members representing the five Monegasque federations: Fencing, Weight Lifting, Shooting, Judo and Sailing.
In 1977, the Monegasque Swimming Federation was established.Its President, Ms Yvette Lambin de Combremont, joined the M.O.C. together with Mr Denis Ravera, delegate of the Federation.They were both therefore able to take part in the implementation of a new "Olympic Day" which was fixed, on the request of the I.O.C., for Thursday 23rd June 1977.
The day featured various sporting events and concluded with a reception in the function rooms of the Monaco Yacht Club, during which gold and silver medals were awarded to the leaders and volunteers of Monegasque Olympic sports companies as well as to the most deserving athletes.
Olympic Day was celebrated once again in 1978, again on 23rd June, the day chosen by the I.O.C. to commemorate the anniversary of the revival of the Olympic Games.This date was a symbol for Monaco and for Saint John's Day a fire of joy was burnt around which many young people came to dance.
23 rd June 1978 – In the centre, President Henry Rey, together with members of the M.O.C. and leaders of Monegasque sports associations
A new Olympic Day was held the following year, during which youngsters from the Principality had the opportunity of watching a film relating the most exciting moments from the Montreal O.G.
In 1979, the M.O.C., one of whose twelve members had just been honoured by the I.O.C., continued its action by allowing 5 athletes to take part in the 8th Mediterranean Games organised in Yugoslavia.
29th January 1979, Michel Ravarino receives the bronze Olympic Order from Lord Killanin, President of the I.O.C. |
A few weeks later, the Principality of Monaco welcomed the Secretaries-General from thirty-one National Olympic Committees of Europe.
In 1980, the structure of the M.O.C. was reshuffled.Following the recent establishment of the Monegasque Boxing Federation, Edmond Aubert was made its president and was replaced within the M.O.C. by Daniel Réalini to represent the Weight lifting Federation.
The Government approved the amendment of article 4, para. 3, of the M.O.C. articles of association, stipulating that any member of Monegasque nationality sitting on the I.O.C. would become an ex officio active member of the M.O.C., thereby bringing the said articles of association into compliance with the provisions of the Olympic Charter.
Having not been able to take part in the Summer Olympic Games in Moscow, the M.O.C. focused its efforts on promoting local sports activities.
The traditional Olympic Day was moved to the 1st December 1981 due to bad weather on 28th June.Close to 90 young athletes from the Principality, gathered together at the Congress Centre-Auditorium, were presented with an Olympic medal by the President Henry Rey and the Secretary General Antoine Romagnan.
On Saturday 12th June 1982, over 200 young athletes distinguished themselves in various events:gymnastics, rythmic dance, sailing, rowing, swimming and water polo events.
Rainier III Watersports Stadium
In the course of 1982, two newly established sports federations joined the M.O.C. and delegated two of their members to take a seat in the General Assembly:
- The Monegasque Ski Federation, represented by its President Edmond Pizzi and Daniel Sartore,
- The Monegasque Tennis Federation, represented by its President Louis Caravel, and André Vatrican.
1983 - 1992
The end of 1983 was marked by an event:H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Albert, recently elected President of the Monegasque Swimming Federation, was officially welcomed as a new ex officio member of the M.O.C. on 22nd December.
22nd December 1983:M.O.C. Meeting at its headquarters in Rue des Iris.
Pictured with H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Albert (from left to right)D. Sartore, A. Vatrican, A. Romagnan, Dr. C. Bernasconi, D. Réalini, Y. Lambin, Mr H. Rey, Dr. L. Orecchia, D. Ravera, F. Boisson, P.L. Auréglia, A. Forcherio (responsible for the Secretariat), and E. Pizzi.
As 1985 began to unfold, Monegasque sport was to take on a new dimension. On 25th January, H.S.H. Prince Rainier, accompanied by the Sovereign Family and in the presence of H.E. MrSamaranch, President of the I.O.C., opened the new Louis II Stadium.This exceptional sports complex would enable the Principality to organise extremely high level events.
Louis II Stadium – in the right corner, the current headquarters of the Monegasque Olympic Committee
Four weeks later, the M.O.C. set up its new headquarters there on the 5th floor of the “athletes” entrance.This is where the M.O.C. welcomed two new members on 5th March:Gérard Battaglia, representative of the Monegasque Sailing Federation and Bernard Fautrier, Vice-President of the Monegasque Athletics Federation.
On 7th May 1985, H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Albert was invited to visit the I.O.C. headquarters in Lausanne. He was received by H.E. Mr Samaranch, the Mayor of the City and the President of the Canton de Vaud.A few weeks later, while the I.O.C. held its 90th Session in Berlin, H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Albert was unanimously co-opted as a member of the august assembly.
In June 1988, as preparations were underway in Korea for the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Albert received the visit of MrSlavkov, President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee and member of the I.O.C.Mr Slavkov had come to present the candidature of the city of Sofia for the organisation of the 1994 Winter Olympics.
H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Albert accompanies H.S.H. Prince Rainier III to Lausanne, who is presented with the insignia of the Gold Olympic Order on 18th July, which he had been awarded by the I.O.C. at the 93rd Session in Calgary. |
Following the speech of thanks during which H.S.H. Prince Rainier III stressed the importance of sport in the world and particularly in the Principality, H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Albert unveiled the bronze sculpture offered to the I.O.C. by the Monegasque Olympic Committee.
The work, created by the Monegasque artist, Emma de Sigaldi, represents two female “relay runners”, a symbol of women’s sport passing on the token of friendship, harmony and peace. The work was designed for the new Olympic Museum, opened in June 1993, on the occasion of the 100th Session of the I.O.C.
At the beginning of July 1989, the French-speaking community gave a superb demonstration of unity by gathering together in Morocco at the opening of the 1st Francophone Games.The M.O.C. immediately delegated its Secretary General, Dr Louis Orecchia, to the Games, who took 2 athletes to Casablanca to participate in the sports event (Céline Leclerc in the 400 m and Frédéric Choquard in the 110 m hurdles) as well as a painter, Hubert Clérisi, who took part in the cultural competition.
8th July 1989 – the Monegasque delegation on parade in the Mohammet V Stadium, join the forty or so countries invited to take part in the first Francophone Games
At the end of the summer 1989, the Hereditary Prince Albert travelled to the Caribbean to take part in the I.O.C. Session which was being held in San Juan in Puerto Rico.
Following the re-election of H.E. Mr Samaranch for a further four years as President of the I.O.C., the “Olympic Family” proceeded to select the town that would host the 101st Session in 1993.Monaco was elected on the first ballot with 43 votes.This was a great honour for the Principality which had already hosted the 26th Session in 1927
As soon as Monaco had been selected by the I.O.C. to organise the 101st Session, the Monegasque government appointed a task force.This commission had attended the 3 previous Sessions of the I.O.C. held in Tokyo (96th Session – September 1990), Birmingham (97th Session – June 1991) and Courcheval (98th Session, known as d’Albertville – February 1992).
On 21st July 1992, H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Albert accompanied by Mr Henry Rey, Ms Yvette Lambin-Berti and MessrsG. Tonelli and G. Noghès, came to present the members of the I.O.C. holding the 99th Session in Barcelona, the details of the organisation of the next meeting in Monaco in September 1993.
1993 - 1996
From 17th to 24th September 1993, the 101st Session of the I.O.C. brought together to the Principality the highest authorities in international sport.Monaco had been chosen 4 years earlier at the Session in San Juan in Puerto Rico. |
The M.O.C. called on 437 individuals (including 330 volunteers) divided into 19 commissions to welcome some 3 000 people, including:
- 800 members of the Olympic Family (I.O.C., Organising Committees of future O.G. and I.O.C. Sessions),
- 1.100 representatives from the 5 candidate cities for the organisation of the summer Olympics in 2000, namely:Berlin, Istanbul, Manchester, Beijing and Sydney,
- 1.070 members of the written press, radio and television (with 37 broadcasting vans providing 45 live broadcasts and 165 by satellite)
The exceptional infrastructure of the Principality, with its luxury hotels and prestigious restaurants, made it possible to give the “Olympic family” the best welcome (excursions, a visit to the Monaco Yacht Show, a prestigious philatelic exhibition at the Casino Atrium, a musical afternoon at the Oceanographic Museum, a ballet performance in Salle Garnier…)
On 20th September, H.S.H. Prince Rainier presided over the opening ceremony at the Congress Centre Auditorium enhanced by an operatic recital by Barbara Hendricks accompanied by the Monte Carlo Opera chorus.
Press conference at the Oceanographic Museum
(from left to right) - Mr Henry Rey, H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Albert, Mr François Carrard, Director General of the I.O.C., Ms Yvette Lambin-Berti
The working sessions took place in the “Salle des Etoiles” of the Monte Carlo Sporting Club.It was in the “Multi Sports Hall” in Louis II Stadium that the results concerning the choice of the Australian city as host of the next Summer Olympic Games were announced by President Juan Antonio Samaranch at 8.20 p.m on 23rd September. The President of the I.O.C. had just been elected a few hours earlier for a 4-year period.
An exhibition by the French Patrol marked the closure of this extraordinary session.The flawless organisation of this event resulted in the M.O.C. being awarded the 1993 Olympic Cup by the I.O.C., a trophy founded in 1906 by Baron Pierre de Courbertin in recognition of important services to sport.
On 14th April 1994, the M.O.C. met on the premises of the Louis II Stadium to elect its executive board for the following 4 years. On this occasion, Mr Henry Rey, the outgoing president, offered his seat to H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Albert, who was immediately elected by unanimous vote.
The new President put forward the following nominations, approved by all the members :
- Mr Henry Rey,Vice-President,
- Mrs Yvette Lambin Berti:Secretary General,
- Dr Louis Orecchia:Secretary General,
- Mr Francis Boisson:Treasurer.
This new board would celebrate Olympic Day on 1st June with great diligence.Three hundred pupils from the 7 primary schools in the Principality gathered together on the Louis II Stadium race track to compete in the 6 disciplines of the School Athletics Games together with the athletes who took part in the GSSE 93 in Malta and the Mediterranean Games 93 in Cap d’Agde. They were awarded diplomas and commemorative medals during an enjoyable reception.
1st June 1994 – VI School Athletics Games, Ms Yvette Lambin-Berti with young medallists. |
Ten days later, when opening the new headquarters in Rue des Iris in Monte Carlo, H.S.H. Prince Rainier III officially welcomed the International Association of Athletics Federations (I.A.A.F.) that groups together 240 member countries.
10th June 1994 – TSH the Sovereign Prince and the Hereditary Prince Albert, pictured with (from left to right) Carl Lewis, multi Olympic gold medallist, Primo Nebiolo, President of the I.A.A.F. and H.E. Mr Samaranch
In the spring of 1995, the M.O.C. took part in the organisation of a congress bringing together some 300 members of the I.O.C.'s Executive Commission as well as the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations. On 17th May, the M.O.C. celebrated its traditional Olympic Day and School Games in which close to 300 children took part.
1996- Seventy-six years had passed since Monegasque athletes first took part in the Olympic Games.The Olympic family now included 42 athletes from various generations who had practised or practised 11 of the 35 "Olympic" sports disciplines:athletics, bobsleigh, cycling, fencing, weight lifting, judo, swimming, Alpine skiing, shooting, archery and sailing.
In order to foster friendships, to encourage the national interest for the Olympic Games and to help youngsters reach an Olympic standard, and following the wishes of its President, the M.O.C. decided to set up the Monegasque Association of Olympic Athletes in June 1996
- President:Francis Boisson,
- Vice-President:Pascal Camia,
- Secretary General:Fabienne Pasetti.
The following 2nd July, in the VIP Lounge of the Louis II Stadium, in the presence of T.S.H. the Sovereign Prince and the Hereditary Prince Albert, all the athletes that took part in the Albertville, Barcelona and Lillehammer Olympic Games, were awarded the I.O.C. pin.
2nd July 1996 - Pierre Marsan receives the I.O.C. Trophy from H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Albert in tribute to his sporting and administrative career within the Monegasque community.
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