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.

Meaning of the quote

The quote suggests that the Olympic Games should bring people together in joy and friendship, and that the Olympic Torch should continue to be passed down through generations, helping to foster understanding and goodwill between different countries. The goal is for humanity to become more excited, brave, and virtuous through the spirit of the Olympics.

About Pierre de Coubertin

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.

More about the author

More quotes from Pierre de Coubertin

The Olympic Games were created for the exhaltation of the individual athlete.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

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 Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

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 Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

Sport must be accessible to working class youth.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

Racial distinctions should not play a role in sport.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

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 Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

A country can truly call itself sporting when the majority of its people feel a personal need for sport.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

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 Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

In the Olympic Oath, I ask for only one thing: sporting loyalty.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

The Olympic Games are the quadrennial celebration of the springtime of humanity.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

Sport is the habitual and voluntary cultivation of intensive physical effort.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

Success comprises in itself the seeds of its own decline and sport is not spared by this law.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

The Games were created for the glorification of the individual champion.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

The important thing in life is not victory but combat; it is not to have vanquished but to have fought well.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

For each individual, sport is a possible source for inner improvement.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

Olympism… exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, mind and will.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

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 Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

Sport is part of every man and woman’s heritage and its absence can never be compensated for.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

The Olympic Games are for the world and all nations must be admitted to them.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

Sport must be the heritage of all men and of all social classes.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

If he is knocked out of the competition, he encourages his brothers with his words and presence.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

Swifter, higher, stronger.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

Holding an Olympic Games means evoking history.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

The important thing in life is not to triumph but to compete.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

All sports must be treated on the basis of equality.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

In no way can sport be considered a luxury object.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

All sports for all people.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

The Olympic Spirit is neither the property of one race nor of one age.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)

For me sport was a religion… with religious sentiment.

Pierre de Coubertin

founder of modern Olympic Games, pedagogue and historian (1863-1937)