Pierre de Courbetin – the greatest forgotten hero

Paris | Pierre de Coubertin, the visionary behind the modern Olympic Games, is buried in the history books.

Inspired by historian and educator Thomas Arnold, who introduced sport into British schools, Coubertin initially used sport as a tool to implement educational reforms in France.

Eventually the dream took shape and in 1894 he founded the modern Olympic Games, which gradually grew into the largest sporting event in the world.

Convinced that sport could play an important role in character building, Coubertin, born into a French aristocratic family, conceived of an international sporting competition. He co-founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In 1896, Athens hosted the Olympic Games for the first time. When France hosted them for the second time in 1924, it was the last time that Coubertin, who bore the title of Baron, was actively involved in the organization of the spectacle.

Sadly, the creator of the series died in Geneva in 1937.

A century later, when France is ready to host the Games in grand style, is Pierre de Coubertin just a memory? Do the people of France remember him?

“That is a difficult question to answer,” his great-great-granddaughter Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin told PTI in an exclusive interview.

“In France, there are more than 600 places with his name, sports stadiums, streets and schools, so he is certainly known and remembered. But because he lived more than 100 years ago, people can no longer remember exactly what he did,” she admitted.

Alexandra belongs to the fourth generation of Coubertin descendants.

In 2016, they decided to set up the Pierre de Coubertin Family Association to represent the 30 descendants who still exist today.

“All of Pierre de Coubertin’s descendants come from his sister Marie de Coubertin, to whom he was very close. After Marie’s husband died, he took care of her and her children. So he was a second father to my immediate family.

“Since his death in 1937, there has always been a nephew of his at the IOC to represent his spirit. This role has been passed down from generation to generation.”

Alexandra is the current president of the Family Association and officially represents the Coubertin family to the IOC.

To ensure that the legacy of Coubertin, one of the most influential figures of the 19th century, continues, the Family Association has organised a unique exhibition on his life and legacy at the City Hall of the 7th arrondissement of Paris, the neighbourhood where he grew up.

The exhibition is filled with a number of Coubertin’s personal belongings, artefacts, books and Olympic objects from the family’s private collection.

“Through large panels telling his story in the historical context in which he lived, we tried to reveal the many unknown sides of his life journey,” Alexandra said.

“Our mission is to keep his memory alive by being present at all Olympic and sporting events where the values ​​and spirit of the Olympic idea are celebrated.

“We also work with a large network of Olympic partners, historians and Olympic museums around the world to promote the philosophy, symbols and principles through events and exhibitions.”

His family wanted him to pursue a career in the church, the military or the legal profession, but what attracted him were the reforms in the French education system.

He found a great ally in the former French Prime Minister Jules Simon, but the path was strewn with difficulties. He was accused of treason for attaching importance to the British idea of ​​sport.

He believed that the Olympic Games could unite the world in peace and friendship. In his first public proposal in November 1892, he said: “Let us export our fencers, runners and rowers to other countries, for therein lies the free trade of the future. And the day we do so, the cause of peace will have a strong and vital ally.”

The idea was rejected and called ridiculous, but that did not deter him. Finally, the Olympic Games were reborn on June 16, 1894 during the Olympic Congress in the Sorbonne.

“Based on societal values, his ideas are more or less relevant. That said, I think they are extremely relevant today, as he spoke about bringing the world together to prevent wars that unfortunately still happen too often,” Alexandra said.

“He also spoke about inclusion by inviting all countries to play together and adhere to the proposed common Olympic values ​​(excellence, respect and friendship), despite their political, religious or cultural differences.

“Respecting differences, developing friendships and showcasing human excellence through sport is definitely what the world could benefit more from!” said Alexandra.