From Pool to Palace: Princess Charlene’s Legacy Lives On in Monaco’s Mare Nostrum

The 2025 edition of the Mare Nostrum Swim Tour in Monaco delivered two thrilling days of high-stakes international competition, hosted in the heart of the principality at the Prince Albert II Nautical Center. Set against the backdrop of Monte Carlo’s coastline, the event brought together world-class athletes vying for top form ahead of this year’s World Aquatics Championships—and for many, Olympic qualification.

Monaco holds a special place in the swimming world, not only as a premier Mare Nostrum stop but also because of its royal connection. Princess Charlene of Monaco, a former Olympic swimmer who competed for South Africa and participated in the Mare Nostrum Tour herself, has long been a champion of swimming in the principality. Her legacy adds a layer of prestige and national pride to the event, helping cement its role as a symbol of Monaco’s elite sporting culture.

Princess Charlene developed a passion for swimming at a very early age.
In 1996, at 18, She won the South African Championship.
In 2000, Her team came in fifth at the Sydney Olympic Games. That same year, she won the gold medal for the 200m backstroke event at the “Marenostrum” international swimming meeting in Monaco. This is when she met Prince Albert for the first time, He was presiding over the international competition.

The final day of racing saw a blend of tactical swims, explosive sprints, and tight podium battles across the strokes and distances.

The crowd-favourite Skins Tournament, featuring knockout rounds in 50-metre sprints, ignited the evening with adrenaline-fueled showdowns. Here are highlights of what happened in the semifinals and finals.

• Oleg Kostin (Neutral Athletes B) won the men’s 50 butterfly in a blistering 22.96, just edging Egypt’s Abdelrahman Elaraby. But Elaraby would eventually secure gold in the finals in 22.80 seconds
• Arina Surkova dominated the women’s 50 butterfly in 25.73, with Japan’s Rikako Ikee a close second. Surkova took gold.
• World record holder Kliment Kolesnikov cruised to the men’s 50 backstroke win (24.74), showcasing smooth control ahead of Poland’s Ksawery Masiuk. Kolesnikov then took gold in a Meet Record of 24.44
• Italy’s Benedetta Pilato, after posting a world-leading time in prelims, continued her dominance in the 50 breaststroke (30.13), then posting a gold medal winning final time of 29.90On the freestyle front, Szebasztian Szabo (Hungary) dipped under 22 seconds in the men’s 50 free (21.95), and clinched gold in the finals. France’s own Beryl Gastaldello thrilled home fans by edging out her semifinal with a 24.72 in the women’s sprint. Though later Van Wijk would take the Gold.

• Ilya Shymanovich won both the 100 breaststroke (59.77) and earlier 50 breast skins, holding off Olympic champion Nicolo Martinenghi.
• In the women’s 200 breast, Alina Zmushka (Neutral Athletes A) controlled the race from start to finish to take gold in 2:25.29.

With many swimmers fine-tuning for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships and some nations (notably Singapore) using Monaco as a qualification opportunity, the meet carried more than Mare Nostrum prestige—it was a pivotal proving ground.

For Monaco, the meet is more than sport—it’s a reflection of its commitment to international athleticism, discipline, and unity. With Princess Charlene’s own Mare Nostrum history, the principality’s connection to this tour is personal and enduring.

The 2025 Monaco stop once again reminded the swimming world that this tiny coastal nation punches far above its weight, delivering atmosphere, talent, and Olympic momentum with every stroke.

Next up: Barcelona. But for now, the spotlight shines brightly on Monaco.