As the curtains fell on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Prince Albert II reflected on the achievements of Monaco's athletes, declaring, "Our athletes have done the Principality proud."
The Games, which concluded yesterday at Stade de France, were a whirlwind of emotion, marked by both triumphs and disappointments for Monaco's small yet determined delegation. For some, these Olympics will be remembered as a career highlight, while others will carry the weight of unfulfilled dreams.
The six athletes representing Monaco—three men and three women—experienced the full spectrum of Olympic highs and lows during this 33rd Olympiad. Rower Quentin Antognelli, 29, finished 19th in the D final of the single sculls, a result that fell short of his 15th-place finish in Tokyo.
Perhaps the most unexpected moment came when Xiaoxin Yang, seeded 10th, was eliminated in her first match. At 36, the table tennis star, who had high hopes after winning silver at the European Games in Krakow, was defeated by Czech player Hana Matelová in a 2-4 upset, leaving Yang with a deep sense of disappointment.
Swimmer Lisa Pou, who had aimed to improve on her 18th-place finish in the 10km marathon swim, also faced challenges in the Seine's strong currents. At 25, she departs Paris with a sense of unfinished business, likely fueled by a desire to make amends in future competitions.
On the other hand, 19-year-old swimmer Théo Druenne managed to optimize his performance despite a difficult preparation, clocking 8:25.01 in the 800m freestyle.
Marie-Charlotte Gastaud found her own moment of triumph by setting a personal best in the 100m dash with a time of 12.41 seconds, finishing 6th in her heat.
Finally, judoka Marvin Gadeau (+100 kg) put up a valiant fight against Cuba’s Andy Granda, the world’s fifth-ranked judoka and 2022 world champion, though Gadeau ultimately had to concede defeat.
Prince Albert II, who competed in five consecutive Winter Olympics from 1988 to 2002, expressed his pride in Monaco’s delegation: “I am very proud of our overall participation. Our athletes have done honor to the Principality. This experience will also help them prepare better if they wish to compete in other major events and future Games.”
Beyond the sporting outcomes, the Paris 2024 Games will be etched in the memories of Monaco's delegation. The Olympic spirit, the vibrant atmosphere, and the magic of Paris exceeded all expectations, offering unforgettable moments for athletes and spectators alike. "It’s absolutely surreal. Just realizing that we were at the Olympics and hearing the crowd roar—it’s an experience like no other," the athletes remarked.
As the 19 days of emotionally charged and athletically thrilling competitions came to a close on Sunday night at Stade de France, Monaco’s delegation had the honor of having swimmer Lisa Pou and rower Quentin Antognelli serve as flag bearers.
The closing ceremony, set against a futuristic backdrop and featuring electrifying concerts, reached its climax when Tom Cruise carried the Olympic flag toward Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Summer Games.