Pierre de Coubertin: 'Swifter, higher, stronger'
There are quite literally hundreds of inspiring Pierre de Coubertin quotes — a Frenchman whose advocacy for healthy competition was seemingly limitless. Widely regarded as the founder of the International Olympic Committee in 1894, which later lead to the organisation of the modern Olympic Games in the early 20th Century, Coubertin was a hugely intelligent student and upon visiting England in 1883, studied the programme of physical education conceived by Thomas Arnold at Rugby School. Quite possibly the original clubman and having witnessed the physical and social benefits of amateur, team participation on the sports field, on returning to France he worked tirelessly to include sport as part of his country's school curriculum. His endeavours were unsuccessful however, but they planted the seed for his greatest achievement, reviving the ancient (and by 1906 fully independent) Olympic Games.
Other brilliant and famous Coubertin quotes include:
"The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
"Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of a good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."
"All sports for all people."
"Sport is part of every man and woman's heritage and its absence can never be compensated for."