On August 2nd, Prince Albert II of Monaco made a touching tribute to his family’s Olympic legacy by awarding medals in the rowing double sculls at the 2024 Olympics, precisely 100 years after his grandfather’s gold medal win.
Prince Albert presented the gold, silver, and bronze medals at a ceremony held at the Vaires-sur-Marne water sports stadium. The Romanian team, led by Andrei Cornea and Marian Enache, received their gold medals from the visibly moved Monaco sovereign, whose pride was evident in his warm smile.
The ceremony marked a century since John B. Kelly, Prince Albert’s maternal grandfather, won gold in the same rowing discipline at the 1924 Paris Olympics, alongside his partner Paul Costello. Kelly’s victory was notable as it made him the first rower to achieve three Olympic gold medals in the sport.
Following the medal presentation, Prince Albert attended a reception organized by the International Rowing Federation to honor his grandfather’s enduring impact on rowing. The event was graced by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, World Rowing Federation President Jean-Christophe Rolland, and several of Prince Albert’s family members.
“I was very honored to present these medals,” Prince Albert told the French press. “With my cousins from Philadelphia and my close friends, we thought of my grandfather. 100 years ago, not quite on the same pool, but almost to the day, he won his third gold medal… My maternal grandfather was an extraordinary athlete, but he also had this beautiful vision of what the world should be, thanks also to sport. We were very happy to pay tribute to him.”
The event celebrated not only the achievements of the current rowing champions but also honored the lasting legacy of John B. Kelly, cementing his place in Olympic history.
