Pierre de Coubertin

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.

Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin (born Pierre de Frédy; 1 January 1863 – 2 September 1937, also known as Pierre de Coubertin and Baron de Coubertin) was a French educator and historian, and founder of the International Olympic Committee, as well as its second President. He is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games.

Quotes

• In the name of all the competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams.
  • The Olympic Idea : Discourses and Essays (1970) by Carl Diem, p. 7

• 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)

• 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.
  • As quoted in The Olympian (1984) by Peter L. Dixon, p. 210

• A better world could be brought about only by better individuals.
  • As quoted in "Attaining the Ideals", in Awake! magazine (8 September 2000)

• 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)