HSH Prince Albert of Monaco speaking at the Paris 2003 Press Conference (© Getty Images)
MonteCarloThe inaugural IAAF World Athletics Final will be held this coming weekend in the Principality’s prestigious Stade Louis II – Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September. The IAAF was recently honoured to interview the President of the Local Organising Committee, HSH Crown Prince Albert of Monaco, and we can now bring you the questions and answers from this session, as we begin our final countdown to this exciting two day initiative which has replaced the Grand Prix Final.
What was your reaction when you were told Monaco had been chosen to host the World Athletics Final?
“As you all know Monaco and the IAAF have a long lasting bond. The Monegasque Athletics Federation was created almost two decades ago and since 1987 it has organised the annual international meeting Herculis which quickly improved in the rankings of the IAAF. I am therefore very happy and proud that, based on our experience and our success, the IAAF asked us to take on this new challenge and to organise the World Athletics Final for the next three years.”
In what way do you think Monaco can be the ideal place for such an important event?
“Monaco has a vocation for hosting international events and sports organisations. As far as track and field is concerned, we have, together with the late IAAF President Primo Nebiolo, created the International Athletic Foundation which, among many other projects, also awards the prize of Athletes of the Year. Moreover, it’s now nearly 10 years that the IAAF Headquarters have resided in Monaco. There is a real osmosis between Monaco and track and field, and therefore our Louis II stadium seems to me like the perfect location to host the World Athletics Final.”
What does athletics mean to you?
“Athletics is the fundamental sport, it is a learning experience of rigour and will power, it is a mental and physical challenge of great variety. It’s a sport each and everyone one should practice sometime in his or her teenage years. You are alone against yourself but also, during the big championships, it is a fantastic spectacle full of unique and emotional moments.”
What is your favourite moment in the history of the Herculis meeting?
“There are two moments - among many others - of the history of the Herculis meeting which I cherish particularly. First of all the 4x100m world record equalled by the Santa Monica track and field club of Carl Lewis. That was I believe in 1991. And then in 1994 the 3000m world record set by Noureddine Morceli.”
Do you have a favourite athletics discipline? If so, which one?
If I really have to choose among one of the disciplines, I would say the sprints, in particular the violence of the effort and the constant quest for thousands of seconds more speed. I also have a lot of respect and admiration for the middle distance runners. And I also like the Javelin very much, a discipline which I practiced myself when I was a University student in the US.
And a favourite athlete?
Choosing one athlete is another challenging question. I would say two names, no three, even if I have dozens of athletes in my mind. Sergey Bubka for his exceptional career, which has not been equalled yet and I don’t think it will for a long time, and nowadays for his constant support for the younger generation. I would say Cathy Freeman, a wonderful person supported by a whole nation. Finally, Kip Keino, who is a symbol for his country and also for the whole African continent of how a great athlete can also take on a mission of education and social development.
Click here for 1st IAAF World Athletics Final Monaco 2003 - Local Organising Committee site