France has always taken pride in honoring its pioneers and visionaries, but the French aristocrat who established the modern Olympic Games in 1894 is causing controversy for the organizers of the Paris 2024 Games.
Born in the French capital on 1 January 1863, Pierre de Coubertin is renowned as the founder of the modern Olympic Games. Coming from a noble family – his grandfather being the first Baron de Coubertin – he received his education at the Jesuit school on Rue de Madrid in Paris before embarking on a military career at the Saint Cyr military academy established by Napoleon Bonaparte.
His interest in sports was connected to the enhancement of the French educational system, with the objective of “rejuvenating the French nation through the physical and moral re-education of its future elite.” He found inspiration in the ancient Olympic Games, which took place every four years at the sacred site of Olympia in the western Peloponnese, as a tribute to Zeus, the supreme deity of Greek mythology.
Spanning from 776 BC to 393 AD, the ancient games attracted participants and spectators from all corners of Greece and beyond (provided they were citizens, a category based on social class at that time and exclusively reserved for the elite).
The most significant cultural event in ancient Greece, spanning 293 consecutive Olympiads, held immense importance in the ancient world. Interestingly, these games served as the basis for the calendar.
In the latter half of the 19th century, a French educator and sportsman (who excelled in pistol shooting) drew inspiration from English schools and competitions. His aim was to incorporate the teachings of ancient Greece.
He also took note of the Olympic Games held in the medieval village of Much Wenlock in Shropshire, between western England and Wales. It was there that a local doctor named William Penny Brookes revived the Olympic flame in 1850 with the noble goal of “promoting the moral, physical, and intellectual improvement of the inhabitants of the village and the Wenlock district, particularly the working classes.”
The French Baron embraced this British influence and established the “Wenlock Olympian Society” as a means to create the modern Olympic Games.
Renowned for his commitment to using sports as a tool for peace and international cooperation, he not only aimed to lay the foundations but also envisioned enduring Olympic Games that would stand the test of time.
Of course, he acted in accordance with the cultural norms of the era, where women were generally marginalized (even among women themselves) and sports were segregated. In the future, he would face criticism for being sexist, misogynistic, a class snob, and even a supporter of colonialism, while also showing partiality towards the Nazi regime.
“After a recent seminar in Paris,” stated Daphne Bolz, a sports historian at the University of Rouen, “he created the movement, he had the idea, he laid the foundations. In that sense, he will never be completely forgotten. However, he was a product of his time and did not align with the contemporary values of France or those promoted by today’s International Olympic Committee (IOC),” added the historian.
The question of how much recognition to give him during France’s upcoming Olympic Games, the first in over 100 years since the last Paris Games in 1900 and 1924, which occurred during Coubertin’s time, has presented a significant dilemma among his fellow countrymen.
While some acknowledge him, others criticize him for not thinking nearly 130 years ago as he would be judged today. Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee, is one such individual who holds this perspective.
Paris is set to host its third Games, and the credit for this achievement is owed to the Baron. Without him, we wouldn’t be here.
However, the French and the Paris 2024 organizers have been cautious not to mention Coubertin. He is not part of the official Games narrative, and there is no prominent stadium in Paris named after him, except for a municipal sports center in the southwest of the city that will serve as a training base.
Even though 130 years have passed, and it is unreasonable to hold the same views as back then, French politics seems indifferent, particularly with the upcoming snap elections called by President Macron on June 30th (with a potential second round on July 7th) following his disappointing 15% result in the recent European elections.
Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, stated that she had another commitment that made it “impossible to attend the tribute,” but she made it clear that she is not interested in “starting a fight to discredit Pierre de Coubertin’s image.” However, she cautioned on Wednesday: “We need to expand on history, provide context to history, and acknowledge all aspects of certain individuals, including their darker sides.”
Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra appears to be disregarding the issue, as the French government is currently facing uncertainty. According to Diane de Navacelle, Pierre de Coubertin’s great-grandniece, “Paris 2024 has shown little appreciation or awareness for him.” This statement was made on behalf of the family during an interview. It is worth noting that many of his writings or statements were considered controversial, especially when viewed through today’s standards.
During the peak of his influence in the Olympic world, only the first generation of human rights, which were limited to men and focused on civil and political rights, existed. The second and subsequent generations that encompassed workers’ rights and other advancements in human rights didn’t emerge until later in the 20th century.
The progression of human rights has been closely intertwined with the evolution of thought, taking into account the impact of global, regional, and anti-colonial wars. These cataclysmic events have played a role in shaping the changes in paradigms, cultures, and ultimately the rights that society upholds. These rights are a reflection of the values prevalent during each specific era.
Pierre de Coubertin left behind a wealth of writings, speeches, and over a thousand articles. However, upon closer examination, these works may not paint him in a positive light when viewed through a modern lens. As the proponent of Olympism, he advocated for colonization and saw sports as a means to “discipline” indigenous peoples.
He boldly asserted that the white race was inherently superior and that other races owed their allegiance to it. He also opposed the inclusion of women in the games, believing that their role should be limited to applauding. These views are highly reprehensible by today’s standards.
The fight against colonialism commenced in 1945, although it persisted well into the 1960s and even today continues to exist on all continents. Former European colonies, particularly in America, had to wage violent wars to secure their independence. Presently, powerful nations exert control not through traditional weaponry but via neo-colonial methods in Africa and other regions across the globe.
Closer to home, France itself, unwilling to acknowledge Coubertin for political reasons, exerts influence and maintains control over a significant portion of the economies of numerous African nations through the use of the CFA franc – a currency used by 14 countries. This can be seen as a form of neo-colonialism, as it restricts their ability to achieve full sovereignty. Additionally, French overseas territories such as Tahiti (the location for the surfing events of Paris 2024) have local governments, but important decisions are made thousands of kilometres away.
Despite his controversial or misguided statements and ideas, which were shared by others in his class, he also argued that the significance of sports lies not in winning, but in participation itself. He believed that it is important to engage in sports for the sake of practicing, beyond the outcome.
Over time, the Olympic movement has adapted to reflect contemporary values and culture. It now encompasses over 10,000 athletes of all genders and encourages participation from nearly every country in the world, with the exception of those that violate the Olympic Charter or its values.
The discussion surrounding Coubertin arises during a period when there is a wide-ranging ideological battle on how to commemorate significant historical figures in the contemporary era who may be marred by their beliefs or actions, particularly in relation to colonialism or what is now recognized as machismo or sexism. In recent times, left-wing student collectives in Western nations have dismantled or vandalized statues of individuals associated with slavery, a movement that has faced criticism from its opponents as “cancel culture.”
Coubertin held views that were quite typical for a man of his social class and era, specifically a belief in the superiority of white men and Western civilization. Historical figures, like all humans, possessed multifaceted perspectives and ideas, some more accurate than others.
