Ambassadors

Mutaz Essa Barshim, Qatari athlete, is a high-jump specialist. World Champion 2017 in London, he is the first high-jump athlete to retain his world champion title by winning the championship again at home in 2019, in Doha, before then becoming the first high-jumper to win a third outdoor world title, in 2022 in Eugene. He has also won the indoor championship in 2014.

After having won silver in 2012 and 2016, Mutaz made history in 2021 during the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, after accepting to share the gold medal with the Italian Gianmarco Tamberi during one of the most dramatic finals of the Olympic Games.

“I am truly honoured to have been chosen as an ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. Sport has been my most beautiful school of life because of the values of surpassing oneself that it has instilled in me, the will to succeed that it has affirmed and the unforgettable moments that it has allowed me to live. Promoting them will be a pleasure that is constantly renewed and a natural source of motivation, because these values are a precious guarantee of success, whatever the flame that animates us.”

Alexandre Bilodeau

Valtteri Bottas has been a Monaco resident since 2013. An active F1 driver, he has been racing competitively in the Formula One Championship since 2013 with currently 10 Grand Prix wins, 20 Pole Positions and 67 Podiums under his belt. Valtteri is also an ambassador, shareholder and board member of various successful international companies.

“I’m so honoured to join the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation as an Ambassador. I’ve taken part in multiple activities with the Foundation already, but in the future to be able to share those good moments for a great cause as a proud ambassador will be so motivating and a lot of fun. Can’t wait to be able to do lots of good together!”

As an internationally renowned racing driver, Francesco actively supports the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation through his commitments and events, helping to amplify the Foundation’s impact beyond the racetrack. His commitment inspires others to go beyond their limits and explore all the positive values that sport has to offer.

“Being named Ambassador for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is a profound honor. I have great respect for the Foundation’s dedication to saving lives through water safety, sport, and education. As an athlete, I truly believe in the power of sport to inspire, to connect people, and to drive meaningful change. I’m proud to stand behind their mission and contribute to building a safer and more inclusive future. I want to sincerely thank Princess Charlene for this recognition and, above all, for the support she gave me during the beginning of my motorsport career. Without her help, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I will always be grateful.”

Francesco Castellacci 

“I am very honoured to have been chosen as an Ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. This role is close to my heart, because for several years during my participation in the various events organized by the Foundation, I have tried to transmit its values to children, and at the same time to create awareness among adults.

The Learn to Swim and Water Safety programs are essential and life-saving programs.

The Sport & Education program is close to my heart because it allows young children to become adults with true sporting values such as respect, friendship, mutual aid, surpassing oneself and humility. These are values that mean a lot to me, have been brought to me by sport, and have allowed me to become the person I am today.

Together, let’s work to give a better present and future to our younger generation.”

Kevin Crovetto

“I am honoured that the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has asked me to be an Ambassador. Supporting disadvantaged children through good education and sport can help them become responsible adults. I believe this is what we can do together through partnerships and with the help of local communities. Children can achieve their dreams by learning, through hard work and good values, and having access to adequate resources to help them along the way.”

Novak Djokovic

“It is a great honour and pride to have been chosen as an ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. For many years I have been involved in charitable causes in support of children (ELA, un Maillot pour la vie…). The actions implemented by the Foundation seem essential to me and it is always a great pleasure to get close to children to make them aware of the values of sport, learning to swim and taking care of our planet, and respect for our oceans in particular. I thank the Princess and all the people who work for the Foundation, for their trust, their benevolence, and their kindness. I hope to live up to the moral, human and societal values of the Foundation.”

Jérôme Fernandez

“The choice that leads me to become an ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is fueled by the fact that we share the same objectives and the same priorities regarding the transmissibility of the values that mean a child can become an adult.

Through sport, we can give children the necessary tools to make their own knowledge, their own future.

The aquatic world is an essential element for personal development. Through swimming and diving activities, but also activities such as paddle, surfing or lifesaving, we can transmit important values: courage, humility, sharing, fraternity, discipline. Learning how to make choices, setting goals and sticking to them to get there.”

Pierre Frolla

Stéphanie Geyer Barneix is a world champion in sports lifesaving, recordwoman of multiple paddleboard crossings (Northern Atlantic and Cape Horn) and organizer of 9 sea crossings. Stéphanie has regularly supported the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation since 2013: she supervised the very first Water Safety Day in Capbreton, and was most notably the Race Director of the Rivera Water Bike Challenge and the Crossing: Calvi – Monaco Water Bike Challenge.

Stéphanie is a stout advocate of sporting challenges and the values associated with sports. In 2014, she created the Hope Team East association which supports sick children thanks to the power of sport.

In 2023, Stéphanie is participating in the Cap Optimist expedition for a larger-than-life sport challenge along with 5 other “waterwomen”: to cross the Southern Pacific in relay on a paddleboard, from Peru to French Polynesia, in order to establish a new world record and raise funds for Hope Team East.

Bryan Habana, born in Johannesburg, Gauteng, is a retired South African rugby player.

In his 13 years at international level Bryan was a prolific try scorer, with more tries than any
other Springbok in history, and the second most international tries of all time!

Bryan is also highly passionate about his philanthropic and humanitarian work where
not only was he inducted into the Laureus Academy in 2020 but he also launched the Bryan
Habana Foundation in 2015 and he continues to play an ongoing role in giving back where
possible.

“I am proud and honoured to join the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation as an Ambassador. 

Over the years, I have taken part in various activities with the Foundation, including water bike challenges, cycling trips and golf tournaments, and I appreciate the inspiring atmosphere the people around Foundation can create. As athletes, we share the same values as H.S.H. Princess Charlene and we know the impact sport can have on broader society. I’m excited to join the Foundation and to raise public awareness on this important cause.”

Mika Häkkinen

“Apart from my activities as a Formula 1 driver, I have a passion for scuba diving. When H.S.H. Princess Charlene contacted me to become Ambassador of Her Foundation, I immediately responded positively because I was very sensitive to the cause defended by Her. H.S.H. Princess Charlene is also a high-level athlete and we share the same sporting values. Through the Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of learning to swim in order to avoid drowning, I am very happy to join this cause alongside H.S.H. Princess Charlene.”

Charles Leclerc

“It is a great honour for me to be able to represent the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. I will do my best to help the Foundation achieve its goals in the years to come by leveraging my own experience both as a professional athlete and as an entrepreneur. I am sure that together we can make a difference in the lives of children around the world.”

Bjørn Maaseide

An explorer of the world’s highest summits, Alasdair embodies the values of perseverance, self-transcendence, and solidarity that lie at the heart of the Foundation’s mission. Through his commitment, he inspires younger generations to push their limits and discover the many benefits of sport.

His passion, inspiring journey, and positive influence make him an ideal spokesperson to promote the Foundation’s initiatives on a global scale … and to carry them to the highest peaks.

« What an honor to represent the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. The sporting values we share, I hope, will inspire other young people. Thank you to the Foundation for their trust. »

Alasdair McKenzie

Garrett McNamara is an international big wave explorer known for discovering and pioneering the biggest wave in the world at Nazaré, Portugal.

He is the 8-times Guinness World Record holder for the largest wave ever surfed, part of the only team to have ever surfed waves generated by a 300ft calving glacier in Alaska, and the only foreigner to receive the Vasco de Gama Medal of Honor from the Portuguese Navy for his contribution to Portugal.

In 2010, with a Masters degree in Environmental Education and a deep love for the ocean, Nicole his wife and Garrett joined forces.

They are on a mission to live by example and provide meaningful nature experiences through supplemental education programs.

“I am very honoured and proud to be an Ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. Like the Princess, I come from a sporting background (swimming, paddle and lifeguard). I share the Princess’ passion to teach children of all backgrounds and cultures to swim and to support people in their own country so they can teach and help their fellow citizens. This is an exciting mission and I look forward to doing my part to educate future generations to feel comfortable whether in the ocean, lakes, rivers or in the pool.”

Jamie Mitchell

“I feel very honoured to help and support the work of Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation as it is such an important mission. To save lives by helping kids and young adults improve their swimming abilities. I was deeply impressed to realise the work of the Foundation when I visited Monaco to play in their charity event. I loved how the Foundation uses sports values to help kids attain life skills such as learning how to be patient, working for progress, motivation, and self-awareness. Invaluable skills when it comes to staying resilient and motivated in any business and life situations!” 

“When I was in my recovery on my way back to professional golf I was in need of the right support. With the right support, I knew I could make the comeback that I wanted and possibly also perform. I realised it was and is not a one-woman show, it is a team effort. I believe that when you feel seen, heard, and supported on your journey, no matter what the journey is like. You can thrive. The difference and freedom the Foundation brings to the life of these kids are enormous and I feel very proud to be able to offer my greatest support for this mission.” 

Caroline Mohr

International rugby icon, widely known as “The Beast,” Tendai represents powerful values of resilience, humility, and solidarity. His remarkable career and continued dedication make him an inspiring role model for all generations.

Tendai has maintained a strong and long-standing connection with the Foundation, actively supporting its mission through advocacy and involvement in initiatives.

“I am deeply honoured to be named an ambassador for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. I have immense admiration for the work the Foundation does in enriching children’s lives and empowering them through sport and education. It’s a privilege to be part of a mission that creates lasting impact and inspires the next generation.”

Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira

Terence Parkin is the most awarded sportsman of the Deaflympics (World Games for Deaf Athletes) since their inception in 1929. He won no less than 29 gold, one silver and one bronze (in cycling) medals during 4 editions of the Deaflympics. He currently holds 50 world records for the deaf in large and small pool. He is nicknamed “the silent torpedo” and the Michael Phelps of the Deaflympics games.

“Success is 90% attitude and 10% training… With the right attitude you can do anything. The worst handicap is attitude!”

“It has been a pleasure for me to work with and support the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation over the years. The work that the Foundation does is something that I wholeheartedly support and the initiatives all over the world are genuine lifelines to so many children. Events such as the Water Bike Challenge not only raise vital funds and awareness but also bring the local community together. Furthermore, the work that we did together in supporting physical activity for children is something that I am extremely passionate about and I love that H.S.H. Princess Charlene also supports initiatives to improve the health and well-being of children everywhere.”

Paula Radcliffe

“It is a great honour and privilege for me to become an ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and to contribute to its important mission. Since its inception in 2012, the Foundation has helped save lives from drowning by teaching swimming to underprivileged children around the world and giving them hope through sport. As a professional athlete, I feel it is my duty to actively support all of the Foundation’s initiatives, where and when I can.”

Peter Sagan

“Sports have always been much more than just a way to stay active. They taught me valuable lessons that I learned and carry with me forever. I learned that hard work, dedication and sacrifice lead to success. Sometimes teamwork can be more rewarding than individual work. And that you must always have big dreams and give the maximum of yourself to achieve them. I am honoured to be an Ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which emphasizes the importance of sport in a child’s life and empowers and motivates them to be all that they can be. And nothing is impossible to achieve if you give yourself the means. I know sport can change lives because it has certainly changed my life.”

Dara Torres

Stefanos Tsitsipas, born in 1998, is a Greek professional tennis player. He has been ranked as high as world No. 3 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), a ranking he first achieved on 9 August 2021 making him the highest-ranked Greek player in history.

Tsitsipas was the champion at the 2019 ATP Finals, becoming the youngest winner of the year-end championships in eighteen years. He has won nine ATP singles titles (including two Masters 1000 championships) and has contested two major finals at the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open, finishing runner-up to Novak Djokovic both times.

“I feel honoured and happy to support the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, especially because we have, with H.S.H. Princess Charlene, the same values and goals to help children around the world.  Since 2010, I have my own foundation in Germany to help children understand the importance of knowing how to swim, and also to teach them swimming.

I am happy to collaborate with the Princess and support her ambitious goals by helping others. Sport has always been our link and now we can use our common interests and values to do good for others.”

Franziska Van Almsick

French international rugby player, Antoine is an inspiring figure who is deeply committed to the values of solidarity and pushing one’s limits. He embodies the spirit of sport as a powerful force for positive impact.

Through his journey and actions, he actively supports the Foundation’s mission for a safer and more inclusive future.

“It is a tremendous honour for me to be appointed Ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
I am fully committed to promoting its values of solidarity, respect, and the protection of life.
I will dedicate all my energy to supporting it on and off the field.”

Antoine Zeghdar