On the occasion of the 65^th C.I.S.M. General Assembly which took place from 12^th to 15^th May 2010 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Monaco officially became one of the 133 member countries of the third largest international sports organisation (after the International Olympic Committee and the International Football Association (FIFA).

Founded in Nice on 18^th February 1948, the aim of the C.I.S.M. whose motto is “Friendship through Sport” is to develop friendly relations via the Armed Forces, chiefly by organising, in 26 summer and winter sports disciplines, various regional, continental and worldwide events in which the best military athletes of the member nations take part.

Representing the Government of Monaco, Mr Lorenzo Ravano, Advisor to the Embassy of Monaco in the United States, drew attention to the fact that the Princes of Monaco have distinguished themselves in the military, notably naval sector since the 13^th century, that the Prince’s Carabineer Company and the Fire Brigade form the Monegasque law enforcement service and that Monaco has a long history in sport, both as far as the involvement of Monegasque delegations and the organisation of international sports events are concerned. Mr Ravano then pointed out the commitment of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and the Government vis-à-vis sport to promote peace, in particular through major international institutions and activities conducted by the association “Peace and Sport”, created in Monaco in 2007.

Other highlights of this General Assembly included the election of Colonel Malboum Kalkaba (Cameroon) as the C.I.S.M. President for the next four years and the confirmation of the next summer games in Rio de Janeiro from 16^th to 24^th July 2011.

Further information is available on the official website of C.I.S.M.: www.cism-milsport.org.

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