Pierre de Coubertin

Sports Figure. He was the founder of the modern-day Olympic Games competition. Born Charles Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin in Paris, France, an aristocratic French pedagogue and historian, he was inspired by visits to British and American colleges and universities to improve education, especially sports education. He conceived of an international competition to promote athletics. Seeing a growing international interest in the ancient Olympics, which was fed by recent archaeological digs at Olympia, de Coubertin devised a plan to revive the Olympic Games. He organized an international congress on June 23, 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris, proposing to reinstate the ancient Olympic Games. The congress led to the establishing of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), of which de Coubertin became the general secretary. It was also decided that the first modern Olympics would take place in Athens, Greece and held every four years. These Games proved a success, and de Coubertin eventually assumed the IOC presidency until shortly after the 1924 Olympics in Paris. He remained Honorary President of the IOC until his death in 1937. He was buried in Lausanne, which was the seat of the International Olympic Committee, although at his request his heart was buried separately in a monument near the ruins of ancient Olympia. Walking 550 feet northeast of the Stadium at the Archaeological Site is the Monument de Coubertin. Following the March 26, 1938 benediction service by the Greek Patriarch, the Greek Crown Prince Paul inserted in the monument the urn with de Coubertin's heart, resting in the final place. A memorial service was held in Paris on the same day. Each year, when the Olympic Torch is lit, the first runner enroute to the host city stops in Coubertin Grove. In the most metaphorical of ways, de Coubertin's spirit has remained in Olympia and will for all of time. Named after the founder of the modern Olympics, the prestigious Pierre de Coubertin Medal honors athletes, who exemplify the spirit of sportsmanship or exceptional service to the Games.