PRESS RELEASE: WOA Patron HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco joins OLY ranks

Monaco; 23 November 2017

World Olympians Association Patron, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, has joined thousands of Olympians around the world in gaining OLY post-nominal status for his achievements as an Olympian.

His Serene Highness, who represented Monaco in bobsleigh at five consecutive Olympic Winter Games from Calgary 1988 to Salt Lake City 2002, was presented with his OLY Certificate of Recognition by WOA President Joël Bouzou at the Palace in Monte Carlo this week.

Accepting the certificate under his athlete name of Albert Grimaldi rather than his full royal title, Prince Albert, who acted as flag bearer for Monaco at the 1988, 1994 and 1998 Games, noted his pride in being part of the global Olympian community.

WOA Patron, Olympian and IOC Member, HSH Prince Albert II, said:

"I feel proud and honoured to receive this certificate under my athlete name, Albert Grimaldi OLY. Like many other athletes I trained hard for many years before reaching the Olympic Games and becoming an Olympian," said

"As much as the goal, I treasured this journey, which taught me how to dedicate myself and build up an open-minded character. Therefore, I greatly support this initiative, which will promote the skills of many Olympians and help them find opportunities in society after the end of their sports career."

Supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the IOC Athletes’ Commission, the OLY initiative has captured the imagination of Olympians the world over. Since its launch at the 8th IOC International Athletes’ Forum in Lausanne earlier this month, more than 3,000 Olympians have registered to add the exclusive OLY designation to their names and the number continues to grow.

Serving as a symbolic recognition of an Olympian’s status in society, OLY promotes an Olympian’s social, charitable, and community-based work, acting as a reminder of their achievements and of their responsibility to embody the values of Olympism in everyday life.

Other high profile Olympians to have received OLY status include:

Thomas Bach OLY (Fencing, GER); Ato Bolden OLY (Athletics, TRI); Dame Kelly Holmes OLY (Athletics, GBR); Hayley Wickenheiser OLY (Ice hockey, CAN); Gary Hall Sr. OLY (Swimming, USA); Adam Peaty OLY (Swimming, GBR); Shiva Keshavan OLY (Luge, IND); Summer Sanders OLY (Swimming, USA); Sarah Walker OLY (Cycling - BMX, NZD), Nicole Hoevertsz OLY (Synchronised Swimming, ARU); and Hanae Ito OLY (Swimming, JPN).

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

Olympians can register and receive their OLY recognition by visiting: https://olympians.org/olympians/oly/

Image: Please find attached an image of WOA President Joël Bouzou presenting HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco with his OLY certificate.

About World Olympians Association

WOA is the member organisation for the more than 120,000 Olympians worldwide. Our remit is to work for the benefit of all Olympians at all stages of their lives, empowering them to serve society and help make the world a better place. With 149 member National Olympians Associations (NOAs) spread across all five continents, WOA provides support to Olympian-run events and projects based on the Olympic ideals laid down by the founder of the modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin.

For further information:

Amelia Fisher-Starzynski, VERO Communications

Email: afisher-starzynski@verocom.co.uk

Mobile: +44 [0] 7557 418 187

To engage with the WOA:

Website: olympians.org

Twitter: @WorldOlympians

Facebook: facebook.com/WorldOlympiansAssociation/

25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only