Pierre de Coubertin Quotes

Charles Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin was a French educator and historian, founder of the International Olympic Committee, and its second President. He is known as 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. He graduated with a degree in law and public affairs Paris Institute of Political Studies . It was at Sciences Po that he came up with the idea of the Summer Olympic Games.The Pierre de Coubertin medal is an award given by the International Olympic Committee to athletes who demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship in the Olympic Games. Wikipedia  

✵ 1. January 1863 – 2. September 1937   •   Other names Barone Pierre de Coubertin
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Pierre de Coubertin: 5   quotes 6   likes

Famous Pierre de Coubertin Quotes

“The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in Life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

As quoted in The Olympian (1984) by Peter L. Dixon, p. 210
Context: The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in Life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well. To spread these principles is to build up a strong and more valiant and, above all, more scrupulous and more generous humanity.

“A better world could be brought about only by better individuals.”

As quoted in "Attaining the Ideals", in 'Awake!' magazine (8 September 2000)

“Winning medals wasn’t the point of the Olympics. It’s the participating that counts.”

As quoted in "The Olympics — Where Are They Headed?", in 'Awake!' magazine (8 February 1977)

“I therefore think that I was right in trying from the outset of the Olympic revival to rekindle a religious awareness.”

Stated in the year before he died, as quoted in "The Olympics, Sports and Religion — Is There a Conflict?", in Awake! magazine (8 September 2000)

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