At first glance, Monaco is hardly associated with snow, alpine slopes or icy bobsleigh tracks. Yet the Principality’s relationship with the Winter Olympic Games is neither symbolic nor anecdotal. It is a story of continuity, personal commitment and, at times, remarkable sporting achievement. From its first appearance in Sarajevo to record-breaking results in Beijing, here are five key facts that reveal Monaco’s unique place in Olympic history.
Monaco made its Winter Olympics debut in 1984 — and has never missed an edition since
Monaco’s Winter Olympic journey began in 1984 at the Sarajevo Games. That year, the Principality took part in the Winter Olympics for the very first time, alongside other debuting nations such as China, Senegal and Costa Rica. The honour of representing Monaco fell to alpine skier David Lajoux, who also happened to be the youngest competitor in the alpine skiing events.
Despite a fall in the slalom, Lajoux completed the downhill in 47th place, becoming the first Monegasque athlete to compete at the Winter Games. Since that historic debut, Monaco has not missed a single edition of the Winter Olympics. At the Milan–Cortina Games, the Principality will mark its 12th participation, with a Monegasque athlete appearing for the 45th time in Olympic competition.
Prince Albert II is one of the most unusual Olympians in Games history
No account of Monaco’s Olympic story would be complete without Prince Albert II. Beyond his role as Head of State, he occupies a singular place in Olympic history as an athlete who competed in five consecutive Winter Olympic Games — a rare feat in modern sport.
From Calgary in 1988 to Salt Lake City in 2002, via Albertville, Lillehammer and Nagano, Prince Albert II represented Monaco in bobsleigh events, competing in both the two-man and four-man disciplines. Frequently serving as flag bearer, he came to embody the Principality’s long-term commitment to Olympic values and winter sport at the highest level.
Alexandra Coletti remains the only woman to have represented Monaco at the Winter Games
Alexandra Coletti holds a unique place in Monaco’s sporting history. She is the only female athlete to have represented the Principality at the Winter Olympic Games — and she did so at four consecutive editions: Turin (2006), Vancouver (2010), Sochi (2014) and PyeongChang (2018).
Her best Olympic result came in Vancouver, where she finished 19th in the super combined. The most dramatic chapter of her career unfolded in Sochi, when a violent crash during the downhill dashed her hopes of a strong result. Evacuated by helicopter, she later underwent surgery, requiring a metal plate and seven screws in her heel. Reflecting on her sport, Coletti would later say:
“Skiing is a demanding sport. To accept the risks, you can’t be too much of a princess.”
Monaco’s best-ever Olympic result was achieved at the Beijing Games
The 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing marked a turning point for Monaco. Despite being held amid a global pandemic, the Games delivered the best Olympic result in the Principality’s history, across both Summer and Winter editions.
In the two-man bobsleigh competition, pilot Rudy Rinaldi and brakeman Boris Vain finished an outstanding sixth place, competing against the world’s strongest bobsleigh nations. In Monaco, the event was followed with intense excitement, as hopes of a first Olympic medal briefly felt within reach.
Arnaud Alessandria confirmed Monaco’s future in alpine skiing
Another highlight of the Beijing Games was the performance of alpine skier Arnaud Alessandria. Chosen as flag bearer for the Monegasque delegation at the opening ceremony, he went on to deliver a performance of real substance.
Alessandria finished 13th in the alpine combined, securing the best result ever achieved by a Monegasque alpine skier at the Winter Olympic Games. His performance underscored the fact that even a small state like Monaco can build a credible long-term sporting presence on the Olympic stage.
