Coubertin

Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin (1 January 1863 – 2 September 1937) was a French educator, historian, and the principal figure behind the revival of the Olympic Games in the modern era. He founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894 and organized the first modern Summer Games in Athens in 1896.

Coubertin promoted the idea that sport should serve education, culture, and international friendship. He advocated physical education in schools and argued for an amateur, globally inclusive approach to competition. The concept he advanced, often referred to as Olympism, linked athletic participation with moral and cultural development and aimed to unite nations through sport.

As IOC president from 1896 to 1925, Coubertin guided the development of the Olympic Movement, established the governance structures of international sport, and helped expand participation worldwide. He oversaw the renewal of the Games across (and beyond) Europe, and his leadership contributed to the establishment of the Olympic Charter and the modern framework by which nations compete in the Games.

Coubertin remained a prolific advocate for sport and education throughout his life, publishing writings on pedagogy, history, and the aims of the Olympic Movement. He died in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1937. His legacy lies in the enduring global institution of the IOC and the annual celebration of Olympic competition, which continues to emphasize education, cultural exchange, and fair play alongside athletic achievement.