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Princess Stephanie of Monaco wants to keep a low profile at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, which she is attending not as a royal, but as proud mother.
Her daughter, 16-year-old Pauline Ducruet (MON), is representing Monaco in the youth women's 3m springboard at the diving competition. Princess Stephanie is in Singapore to support her and the three other members of Monaco's delegation.
"I am just a good old mum," Princess Stephanie said on Monday as she watched her daughter train at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. "I am here to offer support. I am here for my daughter."
Asked who would be more nervous at the 3m springboard competition on Monday, 23 August, Princess Stephanie said: "I think probably me, because it means so much to her. They (the athletes) are so young and at the beginning of a career. That is what is so great, that they have the opportunity at these Olympic Games to test their skills."
Ducruet started diving four years ago and her dream is to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Her great-grandfather, John Kelly, won three Olympic gold medals in rowing for the USA in the 1920s and her uncle, Prince Albert, was a member of Monaco's bobsleigh team in five Olympic Winter Games and is president of the Monaco Olympic Committee.
"I guess we have the Olympics in our blood," said Princess Stephanie.
She has witnessed her daughter's sacrifices first-hand and sees her role in support of her daughter as crucial.
“Being there and being patient because, especially as it is already a difficult age for youngsters. They are always doubting their skills and performance. That is where a family is so important. You deal with those moments that every athlete goes through. It is not fine every day."
Princess Stephanie says the Youth Olympic Games are a great vehicle for young athletes from around the globe to meet and learn from each other.
"I think it is a very good idea because it gives kids the chance to have an Olympics," she said. "Some of these small countries won't make it (to the main Olympic Games) because the qualifying is so hard. (This means) they can say that they were in the Olympic Games."
Princess Stephanie has talked with her daughter about life at the Youth Olympic Village.
"It is like a big camp and I see my daughters' eyes and the stars she has in them. Of course she wants to make the finals but she wants to enjoy herself and have the best experience of her life, have great memories and make new friends."
