“Who was Pierre de Coubertin?” I ask. Rue Pierre de Coubertin bears the name of a man who revived the Olympic Games. He was born Charles Pierre Fredy de Coubertin in Paris in 1863. He believed in reforming the French educational system.
Coubertin admired the importance of sports in education. He supported setting up school sports structures. In 1889, the Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques was created. Coubertin served as its General Secretary.
Coubertin wanted to recreate the ancient Olympic Games. These games began in Olympia Greece in 776 BC. They were held every four years for twelve centuries. On June 23 1894 Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee IOC. He was 31 years old. Delegates from twelve countries voted to revive the Olympic Games. The first modern games were held in Athens in 1896. Paris hosted the games in 1900 and 1924.
In 1908 Coubertin spoke about the Olympic ideal. He said the important thing is to take part. The Bishop of Pennsylvania inspired this phrase. He said the important thing is not winning but taking part.
Coubertin moved to Lausanne in 1920. He established the IOC headquarters there. Coubertin remained President until 1925. He resigned after being outvoted. He did not want women athletes at the Olympic Games.
Coubertin was a conflicted man. He was interested in Olympism physical education and scouting. He was a visionary but also reactionary. Some of his ideas seem anachronistic today. Coubertin was a colonialist. He believed the white race was superior. He was against women in Olympic competitions.
In 1928 women were allowed to compete. Despite his flaws Coubertin is the father of the modern Olympic Games. In 1948 the IOC adopted World Olympic Day. It is celebrated on June 23. This honors the rebirth of the Olympic Games.
World Olympic Day encourages physical activity. The motto is move learn and discover. Coubertin lived by this motto. He died in 1937 in Switzerland. His heart was placed in Olympia Greece. This symbolizes his dedication to the Olympic ideal. He truly left his mark on the world.