Pierre De Coubertin – The Father of Modern Olympics
“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.”
This famous quote was given by Pierre De Coubertin, a person primarily responsible for the revival of Olympic Games in 1894. He is known as the Father of Modern Olympics because of his services for the establishment and sustenance of Modern Olympics. He was of the view that the important thing in life is not to triumph, but to compete till the end.
He was born into an aristocratic family on January 1, 1863 in France. Since childhood, he practiced rowing, rugby, horse riding, boxing and fencing. He saw sports as an important part for the development of moral energy and regarded it as an essential part of the educational system. He was a French pedagogue and historian. Coubertin himself was fond of rugby, and regarded sports as playing an essential role in the development of personality and character. He had an immense belief that world peace could only be brought through sports competitions. He brought people of all colours, races, nations and cultures closer to achieving a common pursuit of excellence in sports.
The Olympics were banned in 394 A.D. He was the first man who gave birth to the idea of the revival of Olympics after 1500 years at a meeting in Paris in 1892 by saying that “Let us export our oarsmen, our runners, our fencers into other lands. That is the true free trade of the future; and the day it is introduced into Europe the cause of Peace will have received a new and strong alley. It inspires me to touch upon another step I now propose and in it I shall ask that the help you have given me hitherto you will extend again, so that together we may attempt to realize, upon the basis suitable to the conditions of our modern life, the splendid and beneficent task of reviving the Olympic Games.”
Thus his vision and political skill laid the foundation of the revival of Ancient Olympics. His idea did not get much appreciation. Two years later, he arranged a meeting of 79 persons from 12 countries to discuss the matter. It resulted in the establishment of International Olympic Committee on 23 June, 1894. They decided that the first Olympics would be held in Athens, Greece. Coubertin visited Greece and became convinced that Greece would be able to host the first Olympiad and raised funds for the Games. Thus, the First Modern Olympics was celebrated from 6th April to 15th April in Athens. The Panathinaiko Stadium overflowed with people from all over the world. 14 Nations and 245 athletes took part in the first Olympiad because of the efforts of Pierre De Coubertin. Despite all the hurdles and setbacks faced in the first Olympics, it was considered as a great success in history.
Pierre De Coubertin and the International Olympic Committee decided to move the Olympics all over the world because Coubertin was of the view that Olympics can join the whole world and bring peace and harmony in it. He made the modern Pentathlon for the 1912 Olympic celebrations. He remained the Honorary President of the IOC until his death because of his services for the Olympics. He died in 1937, aged 74, in Switzerland.
The Pierre De Coubertin medal was first introduced in 1964 to commemorate his contributions in the field of International Olympic Sports. The Pierre De Coubertin Medal has great value and respect in Olympics. It is a special medal awarded by the International Olympic Committee to the athletes who show the spirit of great sportsmanship. Athletes consider it much more precious than the traditional gold, silver and bronze medals. Till today, Pierre De Coubertin medal is one of the noblest medals that can be bestowed upon an athlete. Today, the large scale Olympic celebrations, the opening and closing ceremonies, fireworks and parades are all part of the Pierre De Coubertin legacy.
Tags: