Monaco, Home to Champions

At the summit of the sporting world, Monaco stands as a launchpad. Champions who have grown up here or chosen it as their home base know it well: the Principality nurtures its athletes, from rising talents to international stars. From AS Monaco Football Club in Ligue 1 to AS Monaco Basket competing at the highest level in both the French Championship and the EuroLeague, as well as sailing competitions, the Herculis EBS Meeting—one of the world’s leading athletics events—and the Monte-Carlo International Jumping, a stage of the Longines Global Champions Tour, Monaco brings together elite athletes from across the globe.

This may well stem from the fact that sport is more than a practice here—it is a true mindset and culture, embodied by the Prince and Princess of Monaco, both former Olympic athletes.

Contents 

1. A Legend in Motorsport
2. Pierre Casiraghi 
3. Charles Leclerc 
4. Valentin Vacherot
5. Téo Andant
6. Antoine Zeghdar
7. Anastasia Nielsen 

A Legend in Motorsport

A cornerstone of the Principality’s sporting identity for over a century, motorsport has propelled Monaco into legend, notably with Louis Chiron, the first Monegasque driver to win the Monaco Grand Prix in 1931. Earlier still, with the creation of the Monte-Carlo Rally in 1911, and later through its Grands Prix, Monaco helped shape motorsport with clockwork precision, transforming its streets into a truly iconic circuit.

Today, Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc stands as the most prominent ambassador of this red-and-white sporting spirit. But he is far from alone. Pierre Casiraghi, Vice-President of the Yacht Club de Monaco, tennis player Valentin Vacherot, 400-metre athlete Téo Andant and rugby player Antoine Zeghdar all belong to a determined new generation, making their mark at sea, on courts, fields and stadiums around the world—proudly representing the Principality.

Alongside these high-profile athletes, Monaco also reveals and supports emerging talent. Boxer Hugo Micallef, figure skater Davide Lewton-Brain and show jumper Íñigo Lopez de la Osa—all Monegasque nationals—are part of this dynamic, as are Swiss rider Anastasia Nielsen and French swimmer Lisa Pou, both residents who compete under Monaco’s colours. As a team, the AS Monaco Basket women’s squad is equally driven to reach new heights.

Their paths may differ, but they share a common foundation: a Rock that propels athletes forward, helping them rise, fall and rise again.

Pierre Casiraghi: Performance as a Signature

Pierre Casiraghi’s victory at the 2025 Admiral’s Cup marks a turning point for the Principality. For the first time in its history, the Yacht Club de Monaco claimed this legendary competition, often regarded as the “world championship” of offshore team racing—the sailing equivalent of the Davis Cup. A remarkable entry into the very exclusive circle of winning clubs.

Held over several weeks, the 2025 Admiral’s Cup combined an offshore race, coastal regattas in the Solent and, as its highlight, the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race. At the helm of Jolt 6, Pierre Casiraghi, Vice-President of the Yacht Club de Monaco, led his crew with consistency and precision. At the same time, club member Peter Harrison, aboard Jolt 3, delivered a decisive performance in his class. Together, they secured overall team victory for the Yacht Club de Monaco, placing the Principality among the winners of this benchmark event.

“This cup represents extraordinary effort, sacrifice, but also moments of courage. It embodies determination, pushing beyond one’s limits, team spirit—and sometimes doubt, along with a bit of luck that every sailor needs. We were able to build on our individual strengths while embracing the demands of compromise to become a true team,” said Pierre Casiraghi.

For over a decade, the nephew of Prince Albert II has taken part in major offshore races, ambitious projects and international campaigns. The Admiral’s Cup stands as the natural continuation of a genuine commitment to performance, discipline and teamwork.

This achievement was recognised at the 2025 YCM Awards, where Pierre Casiraghi and Peter Harrison were named YCM Sailors of the Year.

Charles Leclerc: Monaco’s Homegrown Hero

Everything has unfolded at remarkable speed in the meteoric rise of the Formula 1 driver. Monegasques still remember with affection the young boy Charles Leclerc once was. Today, as early supporters, they follow with pride the journey of this star who brings brilliance to the Rock with both charm and passion.

At 28, Charles Leclerc embodies the perfect blend of sport and glamour. A local hero turned global star, he draws crowds wherever he goes in the Principality. Always approachable, he readily pauses for a selfie or an autograph. The Monaco native seems to embrace his success with disarming ease—a success he has worked towards since the age of five, when he began karting at the Brignoles circuit in southern France, run by the father of his mentor, Jules Bianchi.

His record speaks for itself: by the end of 2025, he had achieved 50 podium finishes with Scuderia Ferrari, 27 pole positions and 8 victories—figures that define an exceptional driver.

In Monaco, he has set hearts racing at every Formula 1 Grand Prix since 2018. But it was in 2024 that the Principality truly celebrated: after securing pole position, Charles Leclerc became the first Monegasque to win a Formula 1 World Championship race.

Beyond motorsport, he also brings a distinct sense of glamour to Monaco. In 2025, in collaboration with Ferrari’s Creative Director Rocco Iannone, he designed a collection of sportswear and accessories, including a line for dogs—a playful nod to Léo, his dachshund who accompanies him everywhere, and a link to Alexandra Saint Mleux, his partner since last autumn.

Valentin Vacherot: From the Courts of the Rock to Rising Icon

At 25, Valentin Vacherot has taken a remarkable leap forward. It was in Shanghai, during last October’s ATP Masters 1000, that the tennis player surged from 204th place into the Top 50 (with a career-high ranking of No. 30 by the end of 2025). Looking back, he admits he felt that “something was happening.” “You win one match, then two—and you start to feel like nothing can stop you.” What appeared to be a sudden breakthrough was in fact the result of years of disciplined training, not always rewarded. But perseverance paid off, and Vacherot speaks of an “alignment of the stars” that carried him from the qualifiers to victory in the final against his cousin Arthur Rinderknech, after defeating Novak Djokovic—“the greatest win of my career, in a packed stadium with an incredible atmosphere.”

The first Monegasque player in history to break into the Top 50 and win a Masters 1000 title, Valentin Vacherot, born in Monaco, proudly represents the red and white. “Coming from one of the smallest countries in the world, yet a true sporting nation, gives you extra wings.”

At the Monte-Carlo Country Club, where his rise began, his training routine is meticulously structured, with days running “from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.”, combining tennis, strength training and recovery.

Now, Valentin Vacherot knows he belongs among the elite. “This is where I’m meant to be—and it’s up to me to aim even higher.”

Monaco has found its champion. And he, his destiny.

Lisa Pou: From Perseverance to Recognition

Born in Fréjus in 1999, Lisa Pou is as resilient and talented as she is sensitive and engaging. She embodies a new generation of elite athletes. Initially recognised for her abilities in freestyle, the swimmer has established herself as a leading figure in middle-distance events.

Her career has been shaped by challenges that have forged her competitive spirit.

“The first defining moment was the 25 km race at the Open Water World Championships in South Korea in 2018,” Lisa Pou recalls. “We had to swim for five and a half hours in the sea while a typhoon was hitting us. I felt truly connected to the waves as they crashed against me. I finished fourth—exhausted, but happy and proud.”

Now competing for Monaco, she qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. “The disappointment of the Olympics gave me the drive to succeed and became a springboard to win the bronze medal in the 10 km last summer at the World Championships in Singapore.”

Today, Lisa Pou trains 24 hours a week at the Stade Louis II, alongside her father and coach, himself a former swimmer. “The Principality has played a decisive role in my career. Without the support of a few people in Monaco who believed in me, I might not have persevered as much.”

Her next goals? The European Championships in Paris this August and qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

From AS Monaco to the 2023 World Championships: Téo Andant Representing France and Monaco

A silver medallist at the 2023 World Championships with the French relay team, 25-year-old Téo Andant has established himself as one of the rising talents in the 400 metres.

As the European Championships in Birmingham approach (from August 10 to 16), he continues his journey with determination. “That’s my main goal for 2026. It will be an incredible opportunity to shine on the international stage and represent both France and Monaco.”

Now based in Paris, where he trains at INSEP, Téo regularly returns to the Principality, reconnecting with his family in nearby Menton and his sporting roots.

“France is my country, and I’m proud to wear its colours. But Monaco is my adopted home. I grew up there as an athlete. I’ve always competed for AS Monaco, and the Principality has given me so much, both personally and professionally. I even had the opportunity to represent Monaco at the Games of the Small States of Europe. And in competitions in France, I’m often seen as ‘the Monegasque’—which means a lot to me. Without the support of the club, the Principality and Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, I wouldn’t be able to pursue my sport.”

Yet beyond performance, what matters most remains deeply personal: “What moves me the most is the pride of my parents and those close to me. They are the reason I push myself further.”

Antoine Zeghdar: From AS Monaco Rugby to Olympic Gold in Paris

Paris, July 27, 2024. Antoine Zeghdar and his French rugby sevens team defeat Fiji, the two-time defending champions, after an extraordinary match driven by the energy of a united crowd. The Monaco native reaches the pinnacle—and lifts the Principality with him.

It is here, in Monaco, that his story began. Now a professional player under a federal contract with the French rugby sevens team and an ambassador for the Princess Charlene Foundation, he reflects: “I was born and raised here. All my friends, all my roots are here, and I have a deep love for this country. It’s also where I joined the Rugby Club. That said, I am French and incredibly proud to have won Olympic gold for my country—especially on home soil.”

Antoine Zeghdar’s rise has been rapid. After three years in Monaco, he joined Rugby Club Toulonnais, where he accumulated championship titles. At the same time, he was selected for the French national rugby union team, adding further victories. Rugby sevens then gave his career an even greater international dimension: from Vancouver to Hong Kong, Los Angeles to Cape Town, his journey has been marked by medals.

Today, between Monaco, Marcoussis and INSEP, he continues to train. “With the French rugby sevens team, we will compete in the World Rugby Sevens Series—a competition bringing together the eight best teams, held across nine tournaments worldwide. My goal is to win in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux—three tournaments that will determine the world champion in rugby sevens.”

Anastasia Nielsen: “The Horse at the Heart of the Process”

At just 19, show jumper Anastasia Nielsen is one of the rising stars of her discipline. A Monaco resident, she has been collecting podium finishes since her teenage years, steadily progressing to become, in September 2025 in Rabat, the youngest rider in history to win a CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix.

Driven by a strong work ethic developed from an early age, Anastasia believes that the sport is built “step by step, with the horse always at the heart of the process.” She has learned to turn difficult days into motivation, convinced that every obstacle is a step towards the highest level. Surrounded by a dedicated team, a supportive family and a stable of top-level horses, she is laying the foundations for a lasting career. For Anastasia, representing the Principality is “above all a source of motivation and pride”—a responsibility she channels into the drive to aim ever higher.

With her quiet ambition, early professionalism and impressive results, Anastasia approaches 2026 with goals that match her potential: to shine on the CSI5* circuit, stand out in Doha, Calgary and Aachen, and continue her journey with the Iron Dames on the Longines Global Champions Tour. In the longer term, she is aiming for the World Championships, European Championships and the Olympic Games—milestones she sees as the natural continuation of a path built with precision and patience.

In Monaco, sport goes far beyond performance alone. It is part of a broader culture and mindset, expressed at the highest level, where excellence meets elegance and every journey tells a singular story. Whether established icons or rising talents, the athletes connected to the Principality share a common foundation: a territory that supports, inspires and elevates them.

Between international competitions, personal commitments and defining victories, these paths shape the portrait of a Monaco in motion—rooted in its heritage yet firmly looking ahead. On circuits, at sea, on tracks or on the field, each embodies a shared ambition: to go further, reach higher, and extend the Principality’s influence far beyond its borders.