Pierre de Coubertin and the revival of Olympic Games in the 19th century

Abstract

The article analyses the views of the eminent French and international public activist of the 19th century, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and considers his contribution to the development of the international Olympic movement. De Coubertin's activities are placed within a wider context of bloc confrontations of the last third of the 19th century; in particular, the article shows the infuence of the international situation on the evolution of the French baron's views. Considerable attention is paid to identifying the key ideas of de Coubertin concerning the future development of the Olympic movement. Pierre de Coubertin can be called a follower of the ideas of 14th–15th century Italian humanists. Throughout his life, this French aristocrat believed in progress, in the vast potential and possibilities of man. The fundamental aim of the humanist Coubertin was to achieve mutual understanding between nations through sport competitions and education.