Pierre de Coubertin
Pierre de Coubertin
Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertinwas a French educator and historian, and founder of the International Olympic Committee. He is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games. Born into a French aristocratic family, he became an academic and studied a broad range of topics, most notably education and history...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionLeader
Date of Birth1 January 1863
CountryFrance
leadership sports team
In the name of all competitors, I promise that we will take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by all the rules which govern them in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams.
strength essence humans
The strength of Olympism comes to it from that which is simply human, hence worldwide is its essence.
sports play roles
Racial distinctions should not play a role in sport.
effort mind excess
Olympism is not a system - it is a state of mind. This state of mind has emerged from a double cult: that of effort and that of Eurythmy - a taste of excess and a taste of measure combined.
ambition effort generations
Festival of the impassioned efforts and manifold ambitions of all forms of youthful activity of every generation springing from the threshold of life.
things-in-life victory important
The important thing in life is not victory but combat; it is not to have vanquished but to have fought well.
sports people
All sports for all people.
sports improvement individual
For each individual, sport is a possible source for inner improvement
winning olympics participating
Winning medals wasn't the point of the Olympics. It's the participating that counts.
world individual
A better world could be brought about only by better individuals.
giving-up fighting things-in-life
The essential thing in life is not so much conquering as fighting well.
joy humanity understanding
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.
mind quality body
Olympism... exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, mind and will.
blue yellow white
The Olympic flag [] has a white background, with five interlaced rings in the centre: blue, yellow, black, green and red []. This design is symbolic; it represents the five continents of the world, united by Olympism, while the six colours are those that appear on all the national flags of the world at the present time.