Opening of the Games
Published on 21 March 2022 at 17:39 - Modified the 22 March 2024 at 02:00
Arnaud Alessandria, the Principality’s skier, arrived in Beijing on Saturday 29 January and has already taken part in the first open training sessions in Yanqing.
Prince Albert II at the 139th IOC Session: A member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Prince Albert II will fly out to Asia at the beginning of this week. The Sovereign Prince will take part in the 139th IOC Session on Thursday 3 February 2022.
Arnaud Alessandria (Alpine skiing) is the first Monegasque athlete to have arrived in China. (Photo: Monegasque Olympic Committee).
Olympic Games come to life for Monaco in Beijing (4 February)
The Monegasques before entering the Olympic stadium for the opening ceremony. (Photo: Monegasque Olympic Committee)
The opening ceremony has launched the Games.
The Monegasques paraded into the "Bird’s Nest" Olympic stadium, watched by H.S.H. Prince Albert II
A huge snowflake, the iconic symbol of the opening ceremony, resolutely turned towards young people. (Photo: Monegasque Olympic Committee)
The Monegasque delegation marching in Beijing. (Photo: Wander Roberto/ANOC Olympic)
Congratulations to the "red and white" delegation:
As tradition dictates, Greece led the parade of athletes. Monaco entered the stadium in 87th position (out of 91 nations), watched by H.S.H. Prince Albert II. As a member of the International Olympic Committee and President of the Monegasque Olympic Committee, the Sovereign Prince was in China to be on hand and offer encouragement to those representing Monaco, as he generally does at each Olympic Games. Skier Arnaud Alessandria, the flag bearer, did not hide his emotions.
Arnaud Alessandria, flag bearer for the Monegasque delegation. (Photo: Wander Roberto/ANOC Olympic)
The message of peace sent by Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, was a strong one. He echoed the words of the Sovereign Prince, who said at the presentation on 18 January: "During the tumultuous period we are currently experiencing, these Olympic Games, in addition to the Olympic Truce approved by the United Nations, offer a hopeful and joyful pause for each and every one of us. A moment during which we must demonstrate solidarity towards others".
After the emotion of the Bird’s Nest stadium, the Monegasque athletes are now preparing for the start of competition. Arnaud Alessandria will be the first in contention, starting on Sunday 6 February.