The Monaco Athletics Federation (FMA) has obtained international ISO 20121:2024 certification for the responsible organisation of its two flagship sporting events, the Meeting Herculis and the Monaco Run.
Awarded by Bureau Veritas, the certification recognises nearly three years of work to integrate environmental, social and economic responsibility into the planning and delivery of the Principality’s major athletics competitions. The process began in winter 2023 and involved several Monaco-based consultancy firms, with support from the Prince’s Government’s Energy Transition Mission and guidance from consultancy ARIMA.
The ISO 20121:2024 standard provides an international framework for managing the sustainability of events. Its revised requirements place particular emphasis on organisational governance, stakeholder engagement and responsibility throughout the supply chain.
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For the FMA, the certification covers a broad range of considerations, including the environmental impact of events, waste management, energy consumption, transport, resource use and greenhouse gas emissions. It also addresses social responsibilities such as accessibility, inclusion, health and safety, working conditions and relationships with volunteers, suppliers, participants and local communities.
Economic sustainability forms a further part of the framework, encouraging responsible purchasing, sound financial management and lasting cooperation with local businesses.
The certification confirms that the federation’s management system for organising the Meeting Herculis and the Monaco Run meets the requirements of the international standard. Rather than recognising individual environmental initiatives alone, it validates a structured approach that incorporates sustainability into decision-making and operational planning.
Both events play an important role in Monaco’s sporting calendar. The Meeting Herculis is an established fixture on the international athletics circuit, attracting elite competitors, while the Monaco Run brings together runners and participants for one of the Principality’s major road-running events.
With athletes, spectators, volunteers, commercial partners and service providers involved each year, the events provide an opportunity for the federation to put its sustainability commitments into practice while maintaining their sporting quality and international appeal.
The initiative also aligns with wider efforts across athletics to encourage more responsible event management, including the sustainability objectives promoted by European Athletics and World Athletics. It supports Monaco’s broader ambitions in energy transition and sustainable development.
Prince Albert II, president of the FMA, has overseen the federation’s work alongside vice-president Rodolphe Berlin and director Frédéric Choquard. The certification marks a further step in the organisation’s efforts to combine sporting excellence with environmental and social responsibility.
However, the federation views the achievement as the beginning of an ongoing process rather than a final milestone. Maintaining the standard requires continued monitoring of objectives, evaluation of results and improvements to organisational practices.
The FMA intends to continue developing its approach, strengthen engagement with partners and embed responsible management more firmly into the organisation of its events.
Through the certification, the federation aims to establish the Meeting Herculis and the Monaco Run as international references not only for sporting performance, but also for the quality and sustainability of their organisation.
