Quentin Antognelli félicité par le Souverain, après la course © Photo Stéphan Maggi / Comité Olympique Monégasque
In the resplendent sunlight of Vaires-sur-Marne, Monaco's Prince Albert II, accompanied by his cousins Susan Kelly Von Medicus and John B. Kelly III, took their seats to witness a sport that holds deep familial and national significance: rowing. The presence of the royal trio underscored the importance of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games for both the Principality and the illustrious Kelly family, renowned for their storied Olympic legacy.
The day's competition saw Monegasque rower Quentin Antognelli give his all in the quarterfinals and semifinals, striving for a place among the world's elite. The sweltering heat added an extra layer of challenge to the already demanding races, testing the mettle of every athlete on the water.
Prince Albert II, along with his cousins—grandchildren of the legendary three-time Olympic gold medalist John B. Kelly Sr.—provided a visible show of support, reflecting the deep-rooted connection between their family and the sport of rowing. This solidarity offered an additional motivational boost to Antognelli as he competed under the watchful eyes of his country’s royal family.
Despite his valiant efforts, Antognelli finished 5th in his quarterfinal heat, securing a spot in the C/D semifinals with hopes of advancing further. The competition was fierce, with standout performances from Uruguay’s Cetraro Berriolo, New Zealand’s Mackintosh, and Denmark’s Nielsen, who secured the top three spots.
Quentin Antognelli’s semifinal race was a battle against formidable opponents. Finishing 5th with a time of 6:58.89, just behind Brazil's Verthein Ferreira and ahead of Hong Kong's Chiu, Antognelli reflected on his performance. “I was mainly focused on myself, trying to maintain my rhythm and accelerate towards the end. I’m fairly satisfied with my second half of the race, which was faster than the first,” he remarked. He acknowledged a tactical error, wondering if a more aggressive approach might have yielded a different result against the formidable Uruguayan competitor.
Antognelli shared insights from a post-race conversation with a Hungarian rower, underscoring the high level of competition. “He didn't make it to the A/B semifinals here despite being in them three years ago. This is his third Olympics, and the level is incredibly high. Even strong competitors like the American and the Bulgarian, a European Championship medalist, didn’t advance to the A/B semifinals,” he noted.
Though he did not reach the A/B semifinals, Antognelli’s determination remains unwavering as he prepares for the D final. Finishing 5th in the C/D semifinals with a time of 7:14.32, he fell short of the top three needed to advance to the C final. The race was won by American Plihal, followed by Bulgaria’s Vasilev and Paraguay’s Insfran.
Now, Antognelli looks ahead to the D final, aiming to secure the best possible finish and improve upon his 15th-place showing in Tokyo, where he placed 3rd in the C final. The D final, set for Friday, August 2, will determine his final ranking between 19th and 24th place.
As the Monaco rowing team continues to compete with unwavering resolve, the support of Prince Albert II and the Kelly family remains a testament to their enduring commitment to the sport and the athletes representing their storied legacy on the world stage.