### From Footballs to Festivities and Music: AS Monaco Celebrates a Century in Style
AS Monaco marked its centenary with a grand Sports Festival at Port Hercule, showcasing the club’s diverse athletic prowess and uniting the community. Prince Albert II attended, engaging with athletes and participating in activities, reflecting his deep connection to the club’s legacy.
Held on June 22nd, the celebration featured AS Monaco’s 23 sports sections, filling the quay Albert I with energy and enthusiasm from 11 am to 6 pm. The event offered a wide array of sports, including football, basketball, weightlifting, and table tennis, making it a sporting occasion for all. The festival, designed as a village with stands and pitches, extended to the Rainier III water sports stadium, where everyone enthusiastically engaged in sports demonstrations and initiations.
Prince Albert II highlighted the club’s significance in a broadcast on Monaco Info, stating:
“For me, AS Monaco is about diversity and excellence. From football to swimming, bobsleigh, aikido, e-sport, table tennis… and there may be two more this year to mark the centenary. The Association promotes the values that we hold dear, the values of universal sport, which are close to the Olympic values: solidarity, friendship, fairplay, respect for the rules…
We can’t forget the extraordinary success of our football team, but of course there have been other great results, by Téo Andant and Lisa Pou and many more. I am also touched by the great results of our young water polo players and our girls’ volleyball team.
I think there’s a tremendous dynamic that we must harness to fly our colours high. It is with great hope that we celebrate this ASM centenary, and that we look towards the next hundred years.”
Founded in 1924, ASM has expanded from three sections to 23, now embracing over 4,600 members. The event honored this growth with an intersection tournament featuring volleyball, handball, laser shooting, basketball, and athletics, fostering camaraderie among members.
Young athletes were central to the celebration, particularly through the “graine de champion” initiative for 8-16 year-olds. A favorite attraction was a special stand where children could take photos in their ASM uniforms, to be featured in a commemorative book set for release in November.
Adding to the centenary memorabilia, the Office des Emissions de Timbres-Poste issued a special stamp with a face value of four euros. Printed in 35,000 blocks, the stamp depicts the club’s sections and the centenary logo, encapsulating the event’s spirit.
The day concluded with a concert by Bigflo et Oli, part of the fête de la musique, which attracted nearly 7,000 people.
Roland Bianchieri, vice-president of the multi-sport club, summed up the event: “ASM is one big family, and we celebrated these 100 years with that spirit in mind, honoring our rich history in the best possible way.”
The centenary celebrations of AS Monaco will continue in November with the traditional awards ceremony, a key event in the club’s annual calendar as the club looks forward to the next hundred years.