Albert, Comte Gautier-Vignal

Albert, Count Vignal was from a French noble family that settled in Monaco in the early 1820s, eventually becoming leading figures in the business, social and sporting life of the Principality. He was a close friend of Pierre de Coubertin who co-opted him onto the IOC in June 1908. Count Vignal was interested mostly in fencing and shooting, and promoted Monaco as a center for these sports. He was President of the Fencing Federation of the Cote d’Azur and was a member of the Fédération Internationale d’Éscrime (FIE). He also helped organize the IOC Session in Monte Carlo in 1927. Vignal was a successful businessman, serving as President of the Nice Electricity Company, which had been founded by his father, and he was on the board of several banks. He served as the Consul General for Romania and received decorations from several foreign nations, including the French Legion d’Honneur