H.S.H. Prince Albert II accoladed by the International Sports Press Association for his Involvement in Peace through Sport

At the opening ceremony of the 75th Congress of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), which is taking place in Innsbruck during the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco received a "Power of Sport" Award in recognition of his outstanding commitment to sport at the service of peace in the world.

This award was presented to him as the Patron of "Peace and Sport, L’Organisation par le Paix par le Sport" founded in 2007 by Mr. Joël Bouzou, its current President.

Receiving the trophy from AIPS President Mr. Gianni Merlo, in front of an audience of international sports journalists and prominent personalities, the Sovereign of the Principality of Monaco declared: "Over the years, as a Head of State, a member of the International Olympic Committee and an athlete, I have had the great fortune to personally witness many outstanding examples of efforts to promote world peace, to build bridges between communities and to break down barriers through the remarkable power of sport."

"The conviction I want to share with you today is this: It is our responsibility and duty, as government representatives, international media and as individuals, to encourage the use of sport for peace-building purposes and make a greater contribution to improving the world in which we live. You can rely on my personal commitment and the involvement of the Principality of Monaco to make this happen."

Created in 2011, the "Power of Sport" Awards each year recognize three exceptional individuals who, through sport, have made a positive impact on the world, on nations or within their communities. The two other laureates of the 2012 edition were H.S.H. Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein of Jordan and the Italian Paralympic athlete Fabrizio Macchi.

The only Head of State to have participated in five Olympic Games, and a member of the International Olympic Committee, H.S.H. Prince Albert II is also co-Chair of the United Nations’ Group of Friends of Sport for Development and Peace. In 2010, he received a Special Recognition award for his role as Patron of Peace and Sport during the UN Millennium Development Goals Awards Ceremony.

For more information, contact: press@peace-sport.org

As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

Your complete source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only.