HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, High Patron of Peace and Sport, has been chosen as ‘International Sports Figure’ of 2014 by the Board of the ‘Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award’, an honour that is among the most prestigious in the world of sports. Previous laureates include IOC President Thomas Bach (2013) and former IOC President Jacques Rogge (2012).
The accolade rewards HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco for his contribution to developing sporting practice worldwide and to peace through sport. The only Head of State who is a five-time Olympian and IOC Member, His Serene Highness has been the Patron of Peace and Sport since 2007, and supports the development of structured sport and its values as a vector for education for young generations and to foster social stability, reconciliation and dialogue between communities.
Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport: “This award is above all a highly deserved recognition for an exceptional man who, while exercising his many responsibilities, has dedicated his role as athlete first, and as ruler and leader second, to the advancement of sport throughout the world. Through this prestigious award given to HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the entire peace through sport movement is rewarded for its work. It also demonstrates that peace through sport is growing worldwide. Recognizing our movement in Dubai, at the heart of a rapidly changing Middle East, further drives and inspires our actions.”
One of the forerunners of the peace through sport movement, Peace and Sport held a forum in Dubai in 2013 exploring the positive impact of sport on the changes taking place in the Arab world, a pioneering initiative which attracted 16 governments, 19 sports federations, various IOC Members and international athletes – all of whom are invested in the peace through sport movement.
Other personalities awarded by the 2014 ‘Creative Sports Award’ included Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chief Executive of the Emirates Group, who was named ‘Local Sports Personality’, Mohammad Raouraoua, President of the Algerian Football Federation, who was chosen as ‘Arab Sports Personality’ and Rania Elwani, Peace and Sport Champion for Peace, who was named ‘Arab Sports Figure contributing to the enrichment of women’s sport’. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award was launched in 2007 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, the annual Creative Sports Awards honour individuals and institutions that have contributed in a creative manner to promoting and developing sport in the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East and worldwide.
The awards will be officially presented at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 14 January 2015.
