Olympism

Olympism is a philosophy of life that uses sport to promote character development, physical education, culture, and international understanding. It seeks to use athletic effort as a means to foster peace, fairness, and mutual respect among peoples.

The concept was developed by Pierre de Coubertin and became the organizing principle of the modern Olympic Movement. The modern Games began in 1896 in Athens, reviving the tradition of the ancient Olympics held in Olympia. The movement is governed by the International Olympic Committee and codified in the Olympic Charter, which outlines the purposes, rules, and values of Olympism.

At the core are the values of excellence, friendship, and respect, together with the motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger). The Charter also emphasizes fair play, non-discrimination, and efforts to reduce doping and to promote accessibility and gender equality in sport.

Practically, the Olympic Movement comprises the IOC, national Olympic committees, and international sports federations. It coordinates the Olympic Games, along with related education, culture, and development programs aimed at using sport to educate and unite people worldwide.

Symbolically, the five interlocking rings represent continents and are rendered in blue, yellow, black, green, and red on a white field, a key emblem of Olympism and the Games.