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Pierre de Coubertin

Baron Pierre de Coubertin was only 1.62 metres tall, but by many measures, he was a giant of the 20th century. Born into the French aristocracy on 1 January 1863, he became a champion of the common man, embracing the values of France’s Third Republic liberty, equality, fraternity as a young adult.

Coubertin set out on a quest to give French children what British students already had: sport in education. By the age of 25, he had become a leader of French education reform.
At the 1889 Paris Universal Exposition, he organised the world’s first Congress on Physical Education and began to build the international network of educators, politicians, aristocrats, commerce, culture and sport who would help him fulfil his Olympic dream. Five years later, on 23 June 1894, in the grand amphitheatre of the Sorbonne University, 2,000 people rose in acclamation of his proposal to revive the Olympic Games.

"Olympism is not a system, it is a state of mind. It can permeate a wide variety of modes of expression and no single race or era can claim to have the monopoly of it"

Pierre de Coubertin

Like so many visionaries, he had his blind spots. Although he said about sport: “For every man, woman and child, it offers an opportunity for self-improvement,” he openly opposed the participation of women in elite track and field events throughout his life. Nevertheless, the participation of women in the Olympic Games grew six-fold under Coubertin’s presidency. Over time, the Olympic Games became a triumph of diversity for men and women, uniting all nations in friendship and peace through sport in the world’s greatest celebration of humanity.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin

The French genius of sport who founded the modern Olympic Games

1863

Charles Pierre de Coubertin is born on 1 January in Paris. He is the fourth child of Charles Louis de Fredy, Baron de Coubertin, and Agathe Marie Marcelle Gigault de Crisenoy.

1892

In a lecture at the Sorbonne on the subject of physical activity in modern times he rounds out his presentation with his proposal of the idea to re-establish the Olympic Games.

1894

On 23 June at the International Congress of Paris for the Re-establishment of the Olympic Games he sees his dream realised as the Congress approves the proposal.

1896

At the 1896 IOC Session, Pierre de Coubertin is elected as the 2nd President of the IOC and takes over from Demetrius Vikelas.

1896

The first celebration of the modern Olympic Games took place in its ancient birthplace - Greece. The Games attracted athletes from 14 nations, with the largest delegations coming from Greece, Germany, France and Great Britain.

1912

Coubertin’s vision of the inclusion of arts competitions in the Olympic Games is realised with their first edition taking place at Stockholm 1912. Entered under the pseudonyms of Georg Hohrod and Martin Eschbach, Coubertin’s Ode to Sport wins the gold medal in the literature category.

1913

Pierre de Coubertin designs Olympic Rings. A year later he writes that the “five rings represent the five parts of the world now won over to Olympism” and the five colours of the rings plus the white background of the flag “combined to produce the colours of every country”.

1925

At the Olympic Congress, in Prague, Coubertin stated that when it came to the Olympic Games “All people must be allowed in, without debate, just as all sports must be treated on equal footing, without concern for the fluctuations or caprices of public opinion”.

1935

In a speech recorded in Geneva for German radio, Coubertin focuses on delivering a message about the “philosophic foundation of modern Olympism”.

1937

On 2 September, Pierre de Coubertin collapses in a park in Geneva and subsequently dies. He is buried in Lausanne. As per the wishes expressed in his will, his heart is taken to Olympia where it is placed in a marble stele that commemorates the revival of the Olympic Games

Baron Pierre de Coubertin

The French genius of sport who founded the modern Olympic Games

Read the full biography

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Coubertin’s perspective on:

Pierre de Coubertin - Ancient Games as Modern Inspiration
Ancient Games as Modern Inspiration
Pierre de Coubertin - Peace through Sport
Peace Through Sport
Pierre de Coubertin - Sport as a Human Right
Sport as a Human Right
Pierre de Coubertin - Diversity
The Celebration of human diversity
Pierre de Coubertin - Independence of the IOC
The Independence of the IOC
Pierre de Coubertin - Lausanne
Why Lausanne?

Paris 1924 and Pierre de Coubertin’s enduring love for France

Pierre de Coubertin
The Games of the VIII Olympiad embodied Pierre de Coubertin’s vision for the world’s greatest sporting spectacle, with many of his ideas remaining relevant today. 
Learn more

Gallery

6th Olympic Congress, Paris, 1914 - Celebration of the 20th anniversary of the the re-establishment of the Olympic Games at the Sorbonne.
6th Olympic Congress, Paris, 1914 - Celebration of the 20th anniversary of the the re-establishment of the Olympic Games at the Sorbonne.
Pierre de COUBERTIN
6th Olympic Congress, Paris, 1914 - Celebration of the 20th anniversary of the the re-establishment of the Olympic Games at the Sorbonne.
IOC
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Baron Pierre de COUBERTIN and Marie ROTHAN on their wedding day.
Baron Pierre de COUBERTIN and Marie ROTHAN on their wedding day.
Pierre de COUBERTIN
Baron Pierre de COUBERTIN and Marie ROTHAN on their wedding day.
IOC
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London 1908 OG, Athletics, marathon Men - The Queen Alexandra handing a gilded silver cup to Dorando PIETRI (ITA) (disqualified after crossing the line) under the eyes of Pierre de COUBERTIN.
London 1908 OG, Athletics, marathon Men - The Queen Alexandra handing a gilded silver cup to Dorando PIETRI (ITA) (disqualified after crossing the line) under the eyes of Pierre de COUBERTIN.
Pierre de COUBERTIN
London 1908 OG, Athletics, marathon Men - The Queen Alexandra handing a gilded silver cup to Dorando PIETRI (ITA) (disqualified after crossing the line) under the eyes of Pierre de COUBERTIN.
IOC
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14th IOC Session, Budapest, 1911 - The IOC Members.
14th IOC Session, Budapest, 1911 - The IOC Members.
Pierre de COUBERTIN
14th IOC Session, Budapest, 1911 - The IOC Members.
IOC
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6th Olympic Congress, Paris, 1914 - Baron Pierre de Coubertin, IOC President and the participants, in front of the Palais de la Sorbonne.
6th Olympic Congress, Paris, 1914 - Baron Pierre de Coubertin, IOC President and the participants, in front of the Palais de la Sorbonne.
Pierre de COUBERTIN
6th Olympic Congress, Paris, 1914 - Baron Pierre de Coubertin, IOC President and the participants, in front of the Palais de la Sorbonne.
IOC
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16th IOC Session and 5th Congress, Lausanne, 1913 - The IOC Members hosted by Baron de Blonay at the Château de Grandson.
16th IOC Session and 5th Congress, Lausanne, 1913 - The IOC Members hosted by Baron de Blonay at the Château de Grandson.
Pierre de COUBERTIN
16th IOC Session and 5th Congress, Lausanne, 1913 - The IOC Members hosted by Baron de Blonay at the Château de Grandson.
IOC
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Views of the city of Lausanne - The Casino of Montbenon
Views of the city of Lausanne - The Casino of Montbenon
Pierre de COUBERTIN
Views of the city of Lausanne - The Casino of Montbenon
1915
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