8/12/2019 Ref. Pierre de Coubertin

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UNIVERSITATEA DE STAT DE EDUCAŢIE FIZICĂ ŞI SPORTA REPUBLICII MOLDOVA

Catedra de Gimnati!"

TEMA# Pierre de C$%&ertin ' t(e F$%nder $) t(e M$dern O*+m,i!

  Doctorand: Coordonator ştiinţific:  Dănuţ STOICA Valeriu JURAT,

  doctor în pedaoie,  conferenţiar uni!er"itar 

C#işinău $%&'

8/12/2019 Ref. Pierre de Coubertin

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Cou-ertin announced t#at #e intended to re!i!e t#e Ol+1pic 8a1e" and on $0rd June,&.G', e"ta-li"#ed t#e International Ol+1pic Co11ittee EIOCF at a 1eetin #eld at t#e Uni!er"it+of Sor-onne in (ari"2

T#e fir"t Ol+1pic 8a1e" of t#e 1odern era ere #eld in At#en" in &.G/2 Cou-ertin -eca1e pre"ident of t#e International Ol+1pic Co11ittee, a po"t #e #eld for $G +ear"2 Durin t#e

)ir"t Borld Bar Cou-ertin 1o!ed t#e #eadHuarter" of t#e IOC to 5au"anne, Sit>erland2(ierre de Cou-ertin, #o pu-li"#ed #i" auto-iorap#+, Olympic Memoirs, in &G0&, diedof a #eart attac< in 8ene!a on $nd Septe1-er, &G0;2

T#e founder of t#e 1odern Ol+1pic" a" an unli<el+ "port" #ero, a )renc# ari"tocrat#o t#ou#t p#+"ical education could #a!e "a!ed #i" countr+ fro1 1ilitar+ #u1iliation in t#elate &.%%"2

And t#e lonel+ ca1pain aed -+ (ierre )red+, 4aron de Cou-ertin, "lol+ ained"upport a1on ad!ocate" of at#letic" in urope and A1erica, and Cou-ertin a" a-le to orani>et#e fir"t 1odern Ol+1pic" in At#en" in &.G/2

Ed%!ati$na* ,(i*$$,(+

T#e "u-ect #ic# #e "ee1" to #a!e -een 1o"t deepl+ intere"ted in a" education, and#i" "tud+ focu"ed in particular on p#+"ical education and t#e role of "port in "c#oolin2 In &..0,#e !i"ited nland for t#e fir"t ti1e, and "tudied t#e prora1 of p#+"ical education in"tituted -+T#o1a" Arnold at t#e Ru-+ Sc#ool2 Cou-ertin credited t#e"e 1et#od" it# leadin to t#ee=pan"ion of 4riti"# poer durin t#e &Gt# centur+ and ad!ocated t#eir u"e in )renc# in"titution"2T#e inclu"ion of p#+"ical education in t#e curriculu1 of )renc# "c#ool" ould -eco1e anonoin pur"uit and pa""ion of Cou-ertin"2

In fact, Cou-ertin i" t#ou#t to #a!e e=aerated t#e i1portance of "port to T#o1a"Arnold, #o1 #e !ieed a" one of t#e founder" of at#letic c#i!alr+K2 T#e c#aracter@refor1ininfluence of "port it# #ic# Cou-ertin a" "o i1pre""ed i" 1ore li<el+ to #a!e oriinated in t#eno!el Tom Brown's School Days rat#er t#an e=clu"i!el+ in t#e idea" of Arnold #i1"elf2 ?onet#ele"", Cou-ertin a" an ent#u"ia"t in need of a cau"e and #e found it in nland and inT#o1a" Arnold2 T#o1a" Arnold, t#e leader and cla""ic 1odel of nli"# educator",K roteCou-ertin, a!e t#e preci"e for1ula for t#e role of at#letic" in education2 T#e cau"e a" Huic<l+on2 (la+in field" "pran up all o!er nlandK2 Intriued -+ #at #e #ad read a-out nli"# pu-lic "c#ool", in &..0, at t#e ae of tent+, )red+ ent to Ru-+ and to ot#er nli"# "c#ool"to "ee for #i1"elf2 3e de"cri-ed t#e re"ult" in a -oo<, LEducation en !n"leterre, #ic# a" pu-li"#ed in (ari" in &...2 T#i" #ero of #i" -oo< i" T#o1a" Arnold, and on #i" "econd !i"it in&../, Cou-ertin reflected on Arnold" influence in t#e c#apel at Ru-+ Sc#ool2

B#at Cou-ertin "a on t#e pla+in field" of Ru-+ and t#e ot#er nli"# "c#ool" #e!i"ited a" #o orani"ed "port can create 1oral and "ocial "trent#K2 ?ot onl+ did orani"eda1e" #elp to "et t#e 1ind and -od+ in eHuili-riu1, it al"o pre!ented t#e ti1e -ein a"ted inot#er a+"2 )ir"t de!eloped -+ t#e ancient 8ree<", it a" an approac# to education t#at #e felt t#ere"t of t#e orld #ad forotten and to #o"e re!i!al #e a" to dedicate t#e re"t of #i" life2

A" a #i"torian and a t#in<er on education, Cou-ertin ro1antici"ed ancient 8reece2 T#u",#en #e -ean to de!elop #i" t#eor+ of p#+"ical education, #e naturall+ loo<ed to t#e e=a1ple "et -+ t#e At#enian idea of t#e +1na"iu1, a trainin facilit+ t#at "i1ultaneou"l+ encouraed p#+"ical and intellectual de!elop1ent2 3e "a in t#e"e +1na"ia #at #e called a triple unit+ -eteen old and +oun, -eteen di"cipline", and -eteen different t+pe" of people, 1eanin

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 -eteen t#o"e #o"e or< a" t#eoretical and t#o"e #o"e or< a" practical2 Cou-ertinad!ocated for t#e"e concept", t#i" triple unit+, to -e incorporated into "c#ool"2

4ut #ile Cou-ertin a" certainl+ a ro1antic, and #ile #i" ideali"ed !i"ion of ancient8reece ould lead #i1 later to t#e idea of re!i!in t#e Ol+1pic 8a1e", #i" ad!ocac+ for p#+"ical education a" -a"ed on practical concern" a" ell2 3e -elie!ed t#at 1en #o recei!ed

 p#+"ical education ould -e -etter prepared to fi#t in ar", and -etter a-le to in conflict" li<et#e )ranco@(ru""ian Bar , in #ic# )rance #ad -een #u1iliated2 Additionall+, #e al"o "a "porta" de1ocratic, in t#at "port" co1petition cro""ed cla"" line", alt#ou# it did "o it#out cau"in a1inlin of cla""e", #ic# #e did not "upport2

Unfortunatel+ for Cou-ertin, #i" effort" to incorporate 1ore p#+"ical education into)renc# "c#ool" failed2 T#e failure of t#i" endea!our, #oe!er, a" clo"el+ folloed -+ t#ede!elop1ent of a ne idea, t#e re!i!al of t#e ancient Ol+1pic 8a1e", t#e creation of a fe"ti!alof international at#letici"12 3e a" particularl+ fond of ru-+ and a" t#e referee of t#e fir"te!er )renc# c#a1pion"#ip ru-+ union final on $% 6arc# &.G$ -eteen Racin Clu- de )rance and Stade )ranLai"2

Re-i-in. t(e O*+m,i! Game #ain article$ %ly&pic 'a&es

So1e #i"torian" de"cri-e Cou-ertin a" t#e in"tiator of t#e 1odern Ol+1pic 1o!e1ent,a 1an #o"e !i"ion and political "<ill led to t#e re!i!al of t#e Ol+1pic 8a1e" #ic# #ad -een practi"ed in antiHuit+2 T#e ancient" cele-rated in 8reece durin t#i" ti1e period, includin t#e(+t#ian, ?e1ean, and I"t#1ian 8a1e", Cou-ertin ideali>ed t#e Ol+1pic 8a1e" a" t#e ulti1ate

ancient at#letic co1petition2M&0N

 is statue at the Centennial %ly&pic Par  , *tlanta

T#o1a" Arnold, t#e 3ead 6a"ter of Ru-+ Sc#ool,

a" an i1portant influence on Cou-ertin" t#ou#t" a-outeducation, -ut #i" 1eetin" it# Dr2 Billia1 (enn+ 4roo<e" al"o influenced #i" t#in<in a-out at#letic co1petition to "o1ee=tent2 A trained p#+"ician, 4roo<e" -elie!ed t#at t#e -e"t a+to pre!ent illne"" a" t#rou# p#+"ical e=erci"e2 In &.9%, #e#ad initiated a local at#letic co1petition t#at #e referred to a"6eetin" of t#e Ol+1pian Cla"" at t#e 8a"<ell recreationround at 6uc# Benloc<, S#rop"#ire2 Alon it# t#e5i!erpool At#letic Clu-, #o -ean #oldin t#eir on Ol+1pic

)e"ti!al in t#e &./%", 4roo<e" created a ?ational Ol+1pian A""ociation #ic# ai1ed toencourae "uc# local co1petition in citie" acro"" 4ritain2 T#e"e effort" ere larel+ inored -+

t#e 4riti"# "portin e"ta-li"#1ent2 4roo<e" al"o 1aintained co11unication it# t#e o!ern1entand "portin ad!ocate" in 8reece, "ee<in a re!i!al of t#e Ol+1pic 8a1e" internationall+ undert#e au"pice" of t#e 8ree< o!ern1ent2 T#ere, t#e p#ilant#ropi"t cou"in" !anelo" andon"tantino" Pappa" #ad u"ed t#eir ealt# to fund Ol+1pic" it#in 8reece, and paid for t#ere"toration of t#e (anat#inai<o Stadiu1 t#at a" later u"ed durin t#e &.G/ Su11er Ol+1pic"2T#e effort" of 4roo<e" to encourae t#e internationali>ation of t#e"e a1e" ca1e to nau#t23oe!er, Dr 4roo<e" did orani>e a national Ol+1pic 8a1e" in 5ondon, at Cr+"tal (alace, in&.// and t#i" a" t#e fir"t Ol+1pic" to re"e1-le an Ol+1pic 8a1e" to -e #eld out"ide of

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8reece2 4ut #ile ot#er" #ad created Ol+1pic conte"t" it#in t#eir countrie", and -roac#ed t#eidea of international co1petition, it a" Cou-ertin #o"e or< ould lead to t#e e"ta-li"#1entof t#e International Ol+1pic Co11ittee and t#e orani"ation of t#e fir"t 1odern Ol+1pic8a1e"2

In &..., Cou-ertin founded t#e Co1it* pour la (ropaation de" =erci"e" (#+"iHue"

1ore ell <non a" t#e Co1it* Jule" Si1on2 Cou-ertin" earlie"t reference to t#e 1odern notionof Ol+1pic 8a1e" critici>e" t#e idea2 T#e idea for re!i!in t#e Ol+1pic 8a1e" a" aninternational co1petition ca1e to Cou-ertin in &..G, apparentl+ independentl+ of 4roo<e", and#e "pent t#e folloin fi!e +ear" orani>in an international 1eetin of at#lete" and "port"ent#u"ia"t" t#at 1i#t 1a<e it #appen2 Dr 4roo<e" #ad orani"ed a national Ol+1pic 8a1e" t#ata" #eld at Cr+"tal (alace in 5ondon in &.//2 In re"pon"e to a ne"paper appeal, 4roo<e" roteto Cou-ertin in &.G%, and t#e to -ean an e=c#ane of letter" on education and "port2 T#atOcto-er, 4roo<e" #o"ted t#e )renc#1an at a "pecial fe"ti!al #eld in #i" #onour at 6uc# Benloc<2Alt#ou# #e a" too old to attend t#e &.G' Conre"", 4roo<e" ould continue to "upportCou-ertin" effort", 1o"t i1portantl+ -+ u"in #i" connection" it# t#e 8ree< o!ern1ent to "ee<it" "upport in t#e endea!our2 B#ile 4roo<e" contri-ution to t#e re!i!al of t#e Ol+1pic 8a1e"a" reconi"ed in 4ritain at t#e ti1e, Cou-ertin in #i" later ritin" larel+ nelected to 1entiont#e role t#e nli"#1an pla+ed in t#eir de!elop1ent2 3e did 1ention t#e role" of !aneli"Pappa" and #i" cou"in on"tantino" Pappa", -ut dre a di"tinction -eteen t#eir foundin ofat#letic Ol+1pic" and #i" on role in t#e creation of an international conte"t2 3oe!er,Cou-ertin toet#er it# A2 6ercati", a clo"e friend of on"tantino", encouraed t#e 8ree<o!ern1ent to utili"e part of on"tantino" leac+ to fund t#e &.G/ At#en" Ol+1pic 8a1e""eparatel+ and in addition to t#e leac+ of !aneli" Pappa" t#at on"tantino" #ad -een e=ecutorof2 6oreo!er, 8eore A!eroff  a" in!ited -+ t#e 8ree< o!ern1ent to fund t#e "econdrefur-i"#1ent of t#e (anat#inai<o Stadiu1 t#at #ad alread+ -een full+ funded -+ !aneli"Pappa" fort+ +ear" earlier2

Cou-ertin" ad!ocac+ for t#e 8a1e" centred on a nu1-er of ideal" a-out "port2 3e -elie!ed t#at t#e earl+ ancient Ol+1pic" encouraed co1petition a1on a1ateur rat#er t#an profe""ional at#lete", and "a !alue in t#at2 T#e ancient practice of a "acred truce in a""ociationit# t#e 8a1e" 1i#t #a!e 1odern i1plication", i!in t#e Ol+1pic" a role in pro1otin peace2T#i" role a" reinforced in Cou-ertin" 1ind -+ t#e tendenc+ of at#letic co1petition to pro1oteunder"tandin acro"" culture", t#ere-+ le""enin t#e daner" of ar2 In addition, #e "a t#e8a1e" a" i1portant in ad!ocatin #i" p#ilo"op#ical ideal for at#letic co1petition: t#at t#eco1petition it"elf, t#e "trule to o!erco1e one" opponent, a" 1ore i1portant t#an innin2Cou-ertin e=pre""ed t#i" ideal t#u":

 L'important dans la #ie ce n'est point le triomphe$ mais le com%at$ l'essentiel ce n'est pas d'a#oir #aincu mais de s'&tre %ien %attu

The important thin" in li(e is not the triumph %ut the stru""le$ the essential thin" is notto ha#e con)uered %ut to ha#e (ou"ht well

A" Cou-ertin prepared for #i" Conre"", #e continued to de!elop a p#ilo"op#+ of t#eOl+1pic 8a1e"2 B#ile #e certainl+ intended t#e 8a1e" to -e a foru1 for co1petition -eteena1ateur at#lete", #i" conception of a1ateuri"1 a" co1ple=2 4+ &.G', t#e +ear t#e Conre"" a"#eld, #e pu-licl+ critici"ed t#e t+pe of a1ateur co1petition e1-odied in nli"# roin conte"t",aruin t#at it" "pecific e=clu"ion of or<in@cla"" at#lete" a" ron2 B#ile #e -elie!ed t#atat#lete" "#ould not -e paid to -e "uc#, #e did t#in< t#at co1pen"ation a" in order for t#e ti1e#en at#lete" ere co1petin and ould ot#eri"e #a!e -een earnin 1one+2 )olloin t#ee"ta-li"#1ent of a definition for an a1ateur at#lete at t#e &.G' Conre"", #e ould continue to

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arue t#at t#i" definition "#ould -e a1ended a" nece""ar+, and a" late a" &G%G ould arue t#att#e Ol+1pic 1o!e1ent "#ould de!elop it" definition of a1ateuri"1 raduall+2

Alon it# t#e de!elop1ent of an Ol+1pic p#ilo"op#+, Cou-ertin in!e"ted ti1e in t#ecreation and de!elop1ent of a national a""ociation to coordinate at#letic" in )rance, t#e Unionde" Soci*t*" )ranLai"e" de Sport" At#l*tiHue" EUS)SAF2 In &..G, )renc# at#letic" a""ociation"

#ad rouped toet#er for t#e fir"t ti1e and Cou-ertin founded a 1ont#l+ 1aa>ine La Re#ue !thleti)ue, t#e fir"t )renc# periodical de!oted e=clu"i!el+ to at#letic" and 1odelled on The !thlete, an nli"# ournal e"ta-li"#ed around &./$2 )or1ed -+ "e!en "portin "ocietie" it#appro=i1atel+ .%% 1e1-er", -+ &.G$ t#e a""ociation #ad e=panded to /$ "ocietie" it# ;,%%%1e1-er"2

T#at ?o!e1-er, at t#e annual 1eetin of t#e US)SA, Cou-ertin fir"t pu-licl+ "ue"tedt#e idea of re!i!in t#e Ol+1pic"2 3i" "peec# 1et eneral applau"e, -ut little co11it1ent to t#eOl+1pic ideal #e a" ad!ocatin for, per#ap" -ecau"e "portin a""ociation" and t#eir 1e1-er"tended to focu" on t#eir on area of e=perti"e and #ad little identit+ a" "port"people in a eneral"en"e2 T#i" di"appointin re"ult a" prelude to a nu1-er of c#allene" #e ould face inorani"in #i" international conference2 In order to de!elop "upport for t#e conference, #e -eanto pla+ don it" role in re!i!in Ol+1pic 8a1e" and in"tead pro1oted it a" a conference ona1ateuri"1 in "port #ic#, #e t#ou#t, a" "lol+ -ein eroded -+ -ettin and "pon"or"#ip"2T#i" led to later "ue"tion" t#at participant" ere con!inced to attend under fal"e preten"e"25ittle intere"t a" e=pre""ed -+ t#o"e #e "po<e to durin trip" to t#e United State" in &.G0 and5ondon in &.G', and an atte1pt to in!ol!e t#e 8er1an" anered )renc# +1na"t" #o did notant t#e 8er1an" in!ited at all2 De"pite t#e"e c#allene", t#e US)SA continued it" plannin fort#e a1e", adoptin in it" fir"t prora1 for t#e 1eetin ei#t article" to addre"", onl+ one of#ic# #ad to do it# t#e Ol+1pic"2 A later prora1 ould i!e t#e Ol+1pic" a 1uc# 1ore pro1inent role in t#e 1eetin2

T#e conre"" a" #eld on $0 June &.G' at t#e Sor-onne in (ari"2 Once t#ere, participant" di!ided t#e conre"" into to co11i""ion", one on a1ateuri"1 and t#e ot#er onre!i!in t#e Ol+1pic"2 A 8ree< participant, De1etriu" Vi<ela", a" appointed to #ead t#eco11i""ion on t#e Ol+1pic", and ould later -eco1e t#e fir"t (re"ident of t#e InternationalOl+1pic Co11ittee2 Alon it# Cou-ertin, C2 3er-ert of 4ritain" A1ateur At#letic A""ociation and B262 Sloane of t#e United State" #elped lead t#e effort" of t#e co11i""ion2 In it" report, t#eco11i""ion propo"ed t#at Ol+1pic 8a1e" -e #eld e!er+ four +ear" and t#at t#e prora1 for t#e8a1e" -e one of 1odern rat#er t#an ancient "port"2 T#e+ al"o "et t#e date and location for t#efir"t 1odern Ol+1pic 8a1e", t#e &.G/ Su11er Ol+1pic" in At#en", 8reece, and t#e "econd, t#e&G%% Su11er Ol+1pic" in (ari"2 Cou-ertin #ad oriinall+ oppo"ed t#e c#oice of 8reece, a" #e#ad concern" a-out t#e a-ilit+ of a ea<ened 8ree< "tate to #o"t t#e co1petition, -ut a"con!inced -+ Vi<ela" to "upport t#e idea2 T#e co11i""ion" propo"al" ere acceptedunani1ou"l+ -+ t#e conre"", and t#e 1odern Ol+1pic 1o!e1ent a" officiall+ -orn2 T#e propo"al" of t#e ot#er co11i""ion, on a1ateuri"1, ere 1ore contentiou", -ut t#i" co11i""ional"o "et i1portant precedent" for t#e Ol+1pic 8a1e", "pecificall+ t#e u"e of #eat" to narro participant" and t#e -annin of pri>e 1one+ in 1o"t conte"t"2

)olloin t#e Conre"", t#e in"titution" created t#ere -ean to -e for1ali>ed into t#eInternational Ol+1pic Co11ittee EIOCF, it# De1etriu" Vi<ela" a" it" fir"t (re"ident2 T#e or<of t#e IOC increa"inl+ focu"ed on t#e plannin t#e &.G/ At#en" 8a1e", and de Cou-ertin pla+ed a -ac<round role a" 8ree< aut#oritie" too< t#e lead in loi"tical orani"ation of t#e8a1e" in 8reece it"elf, offerin tec#nical ad!ice "uc# a" a "<etc# of a de"in of a !elodro1e to -e u"ed in c+clin co1petition"2 3e al"o too< t#e lead in plannin t#e prora1 of e!ent",

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alt#ou# to #i" di"appoint1ent neit#er  polo, foot-all, or -o=in ere included in &.G/2 T#e8ree< orani>in co11ittee #ad -een infor1ed t#at four forein foot-all tea1" ere to participate #oe!er not one forein foot-all tea1 "#oed up and de"pite 8ree< preparation" for afoot-all tourna1ent it a" cancelled durin t#e 8a1e"2

T#e 8ree< aut#oritie" ere fru"trated t#at #e could not pro!ide an e=act e"ti1ate of t#e

nu1-er of attendee" 1ore t#an a +ear in ad!ance2 In )rance, Cou-ertin" effort" to elicit intere"tin t#e 8a1e" a1on at#lete" and t#e pre"" 1et difficult+, larel+ -ecau"e t#e participation of8er1an at#lete" anered )renc# nationali"t" #o -eruded 8er1an+ t#eir !ictor+ in t#e)ranco@(ru""ian Bar2 8er1an+ al"o t#reatened not to participate after ru1our" "pread t#atCou-ertin #ad "orn to <eep 8er1an+ out, -ut folloin a letter to t#e ai"er  den+in t#eaccu"ation, t#e 8er1an ?ational Ol+1pic Co11ittee decided to attend2 Cou-ertin #i1"elf a"fru"trated -+ t#e 8ree<", #o increa"inl+ inored #i1 in t#eir plannin and #o anted tocontinue to #old t#e 8a1e" in At#en" e!er+ four +ear", aain"t de Cou-ertin" i"#e"2 T#econflict a" re"ol!ed after #e "ue"ted to t#e in of 8reece t#at #e #old pan@3ellenic a1e" in -eteen Ol+1piad", an idea #ic# t#e in accepted, alt#ou# Cou-ertin ould recei!e "o1eanr+ corre"pondence e!en after t#e co1pro1i"e a" reac#ed and t#e in did not 1ention #i1at all durin t#e -anHuet #eld in #onour of forein at#lete" durin t#e &.G/ 8a1e"2

Cou-ertin too< o!er t#e IOC pre"idenc+ #en De1etriu" Vi<ela" "tepped don aftert#e Ol+1pic" in #i" on countr+2 De"pite t#e initial "ucce"", t#e Ol+1pic 6o!e1ent faced #ardti1e", a" t#e &G%% Ein De Cou-ertin" on (ari"F and &G%' 8a1e" ere -ot# "alloed -+Borld" )air", and recei!ed little attention2 T#e (ari" 8a1e" ere not orani"ed -+ Cou-ertin ort#e IOC nor ere t#e+ called Ol+1pic" at t#at ti1e2 T#e St2 5oui" 8a1e" a" #ardl+internationali>ed and a" an e1-arra""1ent2

Preident $) t(e Internati$na* O*+m,i! C$mmittee

T#e &G%/ Su11er Ol+1pic" re!i!ed t#e 1o1entu1, and t#e Ol+1pic 8a1e" #a!eco1e to -e rearded a" t#e orldQ" fore1o"t "port" co1petition2 Cou-ertin created t#e 1odern pentat#lon for t#e &G&$ Ol+1pic", and "u-"eHuentl+ "tepped don fro1 #i" IOC pre"idenc+ aftert#e &G$' Ol+1pic" in (ari", #ic# pro!ed 1uc# 1ore "ucce""ful t#an t#e fir"t atte1pt in t#at cit+in &G%%2 3e a" "ucceeded a" pre"ident, in &G$9, -+ 4elian 3enri de 4aillet@5atour 2

Cou-ertin re1ained 3onorar+ (re"ident of t#e IOC until #e died in &G0; in 8ene!a,Sit>erland2 3e a" -uried in 5au"anne Et#e "eat of t#e IOCF, alt#ou#, in accordance it# #i"ill, #i" #eart a" -uried "eparatel+ in a 1onu1ent near t#e ruin" of ancient Ol+1pia2

Per$na* O*+m,i! %!!e

Cou-ertin on t#e old 1edal for literature at t#e &G&$ Su11er Ol+1pic" for #i" poe1Ode to Sport 2

S!$%tin.

In &G&&, (ierre de Cou-ertin founded t#e inter@reliiou" Scoutin orani"ation Eclaireurs *ran+ais E)F in )rance, #ic# later 1ered to for1 t#e claireu"e" et claireur" de)rance2

Later *i)e

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(ierre a" t#e la"t per"on to t#e fa1il+ na1e2 In t#e ord" of #i" -iorap#er Jo#n6acAloon, T#e la"t of #i" lineae, (ierre de Cou-ertin a" t#e onl+ 1e1-er of it #o"e fa1eould outli!e #i12

Criti!im

 +tatue at Lausanne

Cou-ertin" leac+ #a" -een critici"ed -+ a nu1-er of"c#olar"2 Da!id C2 oun, a "c#olar of antiHuit+ #o #a" "tudied t#eancient Ol+1pic 8a1e", -elie!e" t#at Cou-ertin 1i"under"tood t#eancient 8a1e" and t#erefore -a"ed #i" u"tification for t#e creation oft#e 1odern 8a1e" on fal"e round"2 Specificall+, oun point" toCou-ertin" a""ertion t#at ancient Ol+1pic at#lete" ere a1ateur" a"

incorrect2N T#i" Hue"tion of t#e profe""ionali"1 of ancient Ol+1picat#lete" i" a "u-ect of de-ate a1on"t "c#olar", it# oun and ot#er"aruin t#at t#e at#lete" ere profe""ional t#rou#out t#e #i"tor+ of t#eancient 8a1e", #ile ot#er "c#olar" led -+ (le<et arue t#at t#e

earlie"t Ol+1pic at#lete" ere in fact a1ateur, and t#at t#e 8a1e" onl+ -eca1e profe""ionali"edafter a-out '.% 4C2 Cou-ertin areed it# t#i" latter !ie, and "a t#i" profe""ionali"ation a"undercuttin t#e 1oralit+ of t#e co1petition2 )urt#er, oun a""ert" t#at t#e effort to li1itinternational co1petition to a1ateur at#lete", #ic# Cou-ertin a" a part of, a" in fact part ofeffort" to i!e t#e upper cla""e" reater control o!er at#letic co1petition, re1o!in "uc# controlfro1 t#e or<in cla""e"2 Cou-ertin 1a+ #a!e pla+ed a role in "uc# a 1o!e1ent, -ut #i"defender" arue t#at #e did "o uncon"ciou" of an+ cla"" repercu""ion"2

3oe!er, it i" clear t#at #i" ro1antici"ed !i"ion of t#e Ol+1pic 8a1e" a"funda1entall+ different fro1 t#at de"cri-ed in t#e #i"torical record2 )or e=a1ple, de Cou-ertin"idea t#at participation i" 1ore i1portant t#an innin E5i1portant ce"t de participerF i" atodd" it# t#e ideal" of t#e 8ree<"2 T#e Apo"tle (aul, ritin in t#e fir"t centur+ to C#ri"tian" int#e cit+ of  Corint# #ere t#e I"t#1ian 8a1e" ere #eld, reflect" t#i" in #i" ritin" #en #e"a+", Do +ou not <no t#at in a race all t#e runner" run, -ut onl+ one et" t#e pri>e Run in "uc#a a+ a" to et t#e pri>e, E& Corint#ian" G:$'F2

Cou-ertin" a""ertion t#at t#e 8a1e" ere t#e i1petu" for peace a" al"o ane=aeration t#e peace #ic# #e "po<e of onl+ e=i"ted to allo at#lete" to tra!el "afel+ toOl+1pia, and neit#er pre!ented t#e out-rea< of ar" nor ended onoin one"2

Sc#olar" #a!e critiHued t#e idea t#at at#letic co1petition 1i#t lead to reater

under"tandin -eteen culture" and, t#erefore, to peace2 C#ri"top#er 3ill clai1" t#at 1odern participant" in t#e Ol+1pic 1o!e1ent 1a+ defend t#i" particular -elief, in a "pirit "i1ilar to t#atin #ic# t#e C#urc# of nland re1ain" attac#ed to t#e T#irt+@?ine Article" of Reliion, #ic# a(rie"t in t#at C#urc# 1u"t "in2 In ot#er ord", t#at t#e+ 1a+ not #oll+ -elie!e it -ut #old to itfor #i"torical rea"on"2

ue"tion" #a!e al"o -een rai"ed a-out t#e !eracit+ of Cou-ertin" account of #i" role int#e plannin of t#e &.G/ At#en" 8a1e"2 Accordin to oun, eit#er due to per"onal or profe""ional di"traction", Cou-ertin pla+ed little role in plannin, de"pite entreatie" -+ Vi<ela"2

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oun al"o "ue"t" t#at t#e "tor+ a-out Cou-ertin" #a!in "<etc#ed t#e !elodro1e ere untrue,and t#at #e #ad in fact i!en an inter!ie in #ic# #e "ue"ted #e did not ant 8er1an" to participate, "o1et#in #e later denied in a letter to t#e ai"er2N

Le.a!+

T#e Ol+1pic 1otto ,itius$ !ltius$ *ortius E)a"ter, 3i#er, StronerF a" propo"ed -+Cou-ertin in &.G' and #a" -een official "ince &G$'2 T#e 1otto a" coined -+ 3enri Didon O(, afriend of Cou-ertin, for a (ari" +out# at#erin of &.G&2

T#e (ierre de Cou-ertin 1edal Eal"o <non a" t#e Cou-ertin 1edal or t#e True Spirit ofSport"1an"#ip 1edalF i" an aard i!en -+ t#e International Ol+1pic Co11ittee to t#o"eat#lete" t#at de1on"trate t#e "pirit of  "port"1an"#ip in t#e Ol+1pic 8a1e"2 T#i" 1edal i"con"idered -+ 1an+ at#lete" and "pectator" to -e t#e #i#e"t aard t#at an Ol+1pic at#lete canrecei!e, e!en reater t#an a old 1edal2 T#e International Ol+1pic Co11ittee con"ider" it a" it"#i#e"t #onour2

A 1inor planet $&G% Cou-ertin di"co!ered in &G;/ -+ So!iet a"trono1er  ?i<olaiStepano!ic# C#ern+<# i" na1ed in #i" #onour2

T#e "treet #ere t#e Ol+1pic Stadiu1 in 6ontreal i" located E#ic# #o"ted t#e &G;/Su11er Ol+1pic 8a1e"F a" na1ed after (ierre de Cou-ertin, i!in t#e "tadiu1 t#e addre""'9'G (ierre de Cou-ertin A!enue2 It i" t#e onl+ Ol+1pic Stadiu1 in t#e orld t#at lie" on a "treetna1ed after Cou-ertin2 T#ere are al"o to "c#ool" in 6ontreal na1ed after (ierre de Cou-ertin2

3e a" portra+ed -+ 5oui" Jourdan in t#e &G.' ?4C 1ini"erie", T#e )ir"t Ol+1pic":At#en" &.G/2

Lit $) /$r0

T#i" i" a li"tin of (ierre de Cou-ertin" -oo<"2 In addition to t#e"e, #e rote nu1erou"article" for ournal" and 1aa>ine": -ne ,ampa"ne de ./ ans2 (ari": 5i-rairie de lducation(#+"iHue2 &G%.2

 La ,hroni)ue de *rance 01 #ols22 Au=erre and (ari": 5anier2 &G%%@&G%/2 L'3ducation an"laise en *rance2 (ari": 3ac#ette2 &..G2 L'3ducation en !n"leterre2 (ari": 3ac#ette2 &...2 Essais de psycholo"ie sporti#e2 5au"anne: (a+ot2 &G&02 L'3#olution (ran+aise sous la Troisi4me Répu%li)ue2 (ari": 3ac#ette2 &.G/2 *rance Since /5/62 ?e or<: 6ac1illan2 &G%%2 La 7ymnasti)ue utilitaire2 (ari": Alcan2 &G%92 8istoire uni#erselle 06 #ols22 Ai=@en@(ro!ence: Soci*t* de l#i"toire uni!er"elle2 &G&G2 Mémoires olympi)ues2 5au"anne: 4ureau international de p*daoie "porti!e2 &G0&2 9otes sur l'éducation pu%li)ue2 (ari": 3ac#ette2 &G%&2 :a"es d'histoire contemporaine2 (ari": (lon2 &G%.2 :éda"o"ie sporti#e2 (ari": Cr*"2 &G$$2 Le Respect Mutuel 2 (ari": Alean2 &G&92Sou#enirs d'!méri)ue et de 7r4ce2 (ari": 3ac#ette2 &.G;2-ni#ersités transatlanti)ues2 (ari": 3ac#ette2 &.G%2

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Re)eren!e

&23ill, C#ri"top#er R2 E&GG/F2 Olympic :olitics2 6anc#e"ter Uni!er"it+ (re"" ?D2$26acAloon, Jo#n J2 E&G.&F2 This 7reat Sym%ol; :ierre de ,ou%ertin and the Ori"ins

o( the Modern Olympic 7ames2 C#icao: Uni!er"it+ of C#icao (re""202oun, Da!id C2 E&GG/F2 The Modern Olympics$ ! Stru""le (or Re#i#al 2 4alti1oreand 5ondon: T#e Jo#n" 3op<in" Uni!er"it+ (re""2