Jonathan Carroll
American fiction writer
Pierre de Coubertin
founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
Pierre de Coubertin was a French educator and historian who is known as the father of the modern Olympic Games. He co-founded the International Olympic Committee and served as its second president. Coubertin was particularly passionate about introducing sports into French schools.
Table of Contents
About the Pierre de Coubertin
Charles Pierre de Fredy, Baron de Coubertin (French: [SaRl pjeR d@ fRedi baRo d@ kubeRte]; born Pierre de Fredy; 1 January 1863 – 2 September 1937), also known as Pierre de Coubertin and Baron de Coubertin, was a French educator and historian, co-founder of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and its second president. He is known as the father of the modern Olympic Games. He was particularly active in promoting the introduction of sport in French schools.
Born into a French aristocratic family, Coubertin became an academic and studied a broad range of topics, most notably education and history. He graduated with a degree in law and public affairs from the Institut d’etudes politiques de Paris (Sciences Po). It was at the Institut d’etudes politiques de Paris that he came up with the idea of reviving the Olympic Games.
The Pierre de Coubertin World Trophy and the Pierre de Coubertin Medal are named in his honour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pierre de Coubertin was a French educator and historian who is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games. He co-founded the International Olympic Committee and served as its second president.
Pierre de Coubertin was born on January 1, 1863 in France.
Pierre de Coubertin came up with the idea of reviving the Olympic Games while studying at the Institut d’études politiques de Paris, and he was instrumental in the creation of the International Olympic Committee to organize the modern Olympic Games.
Pierre de Coubertin was particularly active in promoting the introduction of sports in French schools, as he believed that physical education was an important aspect of a well-rounded education.
The Pierre de Coubertin World Trophy and the Pierre de Coubertin Medal are named in honor of Pierre de Coubertin’s legacy and contributions to the Olympic movement.
Pierre de Coubertin graduated with a degree in law and public affairs from the Institut d’études politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), where he also came up with the idea of reviving the Olympic Games.
Pierre de Coubertin was born into a French aristocratic family, and he later became an academic who studied a broad range of topics, including education and history.
29 Quotes by Pierre de Coubertin
- 1.
The Olympic Games were created for the exhaltation of the individual athlete.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 2.
The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 3.
Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of a good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 4.
Sport must be accessible to working class youth.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 5.
Racial distinctions should not play a role in sport.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 6.
The Olympic Movement gives the world an ideal which reckons with the reality of life, and includes a possibility to guide this reality toward the great Olympic Idea.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 7.
A country can truly call itself sporting when the majority of its people feel a personal need for sport.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 8.
May joy and good fellowship reign, and in this manner, may the Olympic Torch pursue its way through ages, increasing friendly understanding among nations, for the good of a humanity always more enthusiastic, more courageous and more pure.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 9.
In the Olympic Oath, I ask for only one thing: sporting loyalty.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 10.
The Olympic Games are the quadrennial celebration of the springtime of humanity.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 11.
Sport is the habitual and voluntary cultivation of intensive physical effort.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 12.
Success comprises in itself the seeds of its own decline and sport is not spared by this law.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 13.
The Games were created for the glorification of the individual champion.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 14.
The important thing in life is not victory but combat; it is not to have vanquished but to have fought well.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 15.
For each individual, sport is a possible source for inner improvement.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 16.
Olympism… exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, mind and will.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 17.
The day when a sportsman stops thinking above all else of the happiness in his own effort and the intoxication of the power and physical balance he derives from it, the day when he lets considerations of vanity or interest take over, on this day his ideal will die.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 18.
Sport is part of every man and woman’s heritage and its absence can never be compensated for.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 19.
The Olympic Games are for the world and all nations must be admitted to them.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 20.
Sport must be the heritage of all men and of all social classes.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 21.
If he is knocked out of the competition, he encourages his brothers with his words and presence.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 22.
Swifter, higher, stronger.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 23.
Holding an Olympic Games means evoking history.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 24.
The important thing in life is not to triumph but to compete.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 25.
All sports must be treated on the basis of equality.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 26.
In no way can sport be considered a luxury object.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 27.
All sports for all people.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 28.
The Olympic Spirit is neither the property of one race nor of one age.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)
- 29.
For me sport was a religion… with religious sentiment.
Pierre de Coubertinfounder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)