Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Prince Albert of Monaco treated South African swimming champion Charlene Wittstock to an unusual date over the weekend - a crucial football match.

The couple - who were first spotted together at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin - cheered as they watched Monaco's football team play French rivals Marseille on Sunday (06.05.07).Charlene's relationship with the prince was thought to have cooled off as they have not been seen in public together for some time, reports the Hello! website.However, the 29-year-old blonde's notable absence from some of Monaco's key social event, such as March's Rose Ball, could well have been because she is focusing on her sporting comeback after 18 months off.Charlene - who is said to have impressed Albert's family with discreet charm and elegance - was unable to take part in competitive swimming until last month, due to a back injury.She returned to form on April 15 when she became South Africa's 50 metres women's backstroke champion - the same title she held three years ago. Charlene said: 'This is wonderful, I have only been training for three months and now I have a title.' The South African sportswoman is said to be planning to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She will then bow out gracefully from competing and plans to focus on charity work and sports promotion.

Sitemeter