As the saying goes, it is better to see once than to hear a hundred times. Today, much of our perception of the world relies on visual media. This is also true for sporting events: photos and videos allow us to follow the most prestigious tournaments from anywhere in the world. At the end of October in Monaco, the best works of sports journalists are themselves competing for the Sportel Awards, created by the Monegasque sportsman and journalist Georges Bertellotti in 1990. Three days of exhibitions, screenings, autograph sessions and interviews with celebrities culminate in a colourful evening at the Grimaldi Forum, where the names of the winners are announced in the presence of the Prince of Monaco.
Meetings with idol
The Sportel Awards don’t just recognise the best work in sport, they also give sports fans the opportunity to meet their idols. Over the three days that the event runs, celebrity champions take part in autograph sessions, exclusive meet-and-greets and roundtable discussions. World stars tell inspiring stories, share their discipline secrets and reveal their future plans. It is worth mentioning the pleasant fact that admission to Sportel Awards events is free for everyone.
Interesting guest
The Sportel Awards jury traditionally invites outstanding personalities from the world of sport. For example, in 2022 it was headed by Georges Saint-Pierre, one of the best MMA fighters in the world. Georges, born in Saint-Isidore, Quebec, started karate at the age of nine to defend himself against attacks at school. Today, he is a multiple-time UFC MMA world champion and a member of the UFC Hall of Fame. Georges St-Pierre also starred in the films First Avenger: Another War and the TV series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Georges says he was moved by the invitation to act as jury president of the Sportel Awards and that the unusual experience opened his eyes to the world of sports journalism.
Marie Beauchet, one of Sportel’s guests of honour in 2023, was part of the commission to organise and host the 2024 Olympics in Paris. According to the eight-time Paralympic alpine ski champion, she is honoured. Marie first got up on skis while still in kindergarten, and at the age of 11 took part in her first French Championships. In 2014, Marie won four gold medals at the Sochi Paralympic Games, and in 2018, she won four more in PyeongChang.
Didier Deschamps and Alain Prost, two winners of the special Sportel Lifetime Achievement Award
In the thirty years of the ceremony’s existence, the special Sportel Lifetime Achievement Award — for outstanding lifetime achievement — has been presented two years in a row. In 2018, on the wave of jubilation from the French national team’s World Cup victory, the first such award was presented to the brilliant French coach Didier Deschamps.
‘I particularly appreciate getting to know great athletes from other disciplines,’ said an honoured Deschamps. — The annual Sportel Awards are a real tribute to athletes.’
At the same time, in honour of the French victory, the stadium in Cap d’Ai, Monaco’s neighbouring town, was renamed the Didier Deschamps Stadium.
The following year, the same award was given to Formula 1 racing driver and four-time world champion Alain Prost. This amazing sportsman held the record for the number of Grand Prix victories (51) for almost fifteen years. Prost has won four times at the Monaco Grand Prix — more than any other French driver. Hard to believe, but in 1979 in Monaco, 24-year-old Prost was arrested for hooliganism! Alain was released from custody just before the Formula 3 race, where he finished fourth.
‘I am honoured to receive the award from the sporting community along with other sports professionals, TV presenters, advertising people. All the more to receive it in Monaco as this place is special and symbolic for me,’ said Alain Prost.
The Principality’s sporting traditions
Monaco pays special attention to sport. The Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters tennis tournament, the Tour de France, rugby and football. And the participation of Prince Albert II himself in five Olympic Games speaks volumes. The tiny Principality not only hosts a huge number of international sporting events, but is also a second home to many of the world’s sporting stars. By the way, the Monaco football club became the first in the coaching career of Didier Deschamps, who in 2003 helped the Monegasques to win the League Cup.
Sportel 2024.
The Sportel Awards recently announced the winner of the 2024 Legend of the Year award. Nikola Karabatic, who has just completed his sixth Olympic Games in Paris, will be awarded in Monte Carlo on Monday 28 October 2024 during the Sportel Awards ceremony at the Grimaldi Forum.
