Pierre de Coubertin today has the force and mysterious
appeal of something rare and extremely valuable. He could
perhaps be called the most famous unknown in history.
If a survey were conducted at the magnificent four-yearly
celebration of the Olympic Games, to discover the survival
rate of the Coubertinian ideology, the result, despite
the favourable atmosphere, would probably be discouraging.
However, Pierre de Coubertin would still justly deserve
the title of one of the most outstanding benefactors of
humanity, for giving the Human Family of the twentieth
century that powerful motive for union and harmony, Olympism
and its rich philosophy, and the regular festive and peaceful
meetings, creating unity and mutual respect, of the Olympic
Games.
But Olympism, with its organizational and philosophical
arms supported by his solid and discerning plans, is no
more than part of Coubertin’s great work. Despite
being evaluated today as the most important sociological
force of the end of the century, it represents little
more than half of the humanist genius’s business,
as he himself maintained.
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