SACRED LEGACY ARCHIVES™

Pierre de Coubertin

1863-01-01 – 1937-09-02

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, half-length portrait, standing, facing frontCredit: Photograph from Bain News Service.

Life & Legacy

Charles Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin (French: [ʃaʁl pjɛʁ də fʁedi baʁɔ̃ də kubɛʁtɛ̃]; born Pierre de Frédy; 1 January 1863 – 2 September 1937), also known as Pierre de Coubertin and Baron de Coubertin, was a French educator and historian, co-founder of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and its second president. He is known as the father of the modern Olympic Games. He was particularly active in promoting the introduction of sport in French schools.
Born into a French aristocratic family, Coubertin became an academic and studied a broad range of topics, most notably education and history. He graduated with a degree in law and public affairs from the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po). It was at the Paris Institute of Political Studies that he came up with the idea of reviving the Olympic Games.
The Pierre de Coubertin World Trophy and the Pierre de Coubertin Medal are named in his honour.

Occupation & Career

historian, pedagogue, teacher, writer, rugby union match official, politician, sports official, founder, functionary, general secretary

Education

École Libre des Sciences Politiques

Accomplishments, Inventions & Publications

Knight Officer of the Order of the Polar Star; Commander of the Order of St. Olav‎; Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix; Commander First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland; Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau; 2nd Class Order of the Crown with the Star; Knight of the Order of the Crown; Order of the Star of Romania; Grand Cross of the Order of Franz Joseph; Officer of the Order of Leopold II; Glory of sport; World Rugby Hall of Fame; Order of the White Lion 5th Class; modern pentathlon

Legacy Highlights

Honors & Awards

2nd Class Order of the Crown with the Star · Commander First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland · Commander of the Order of St. Olav‎ · Glory of sport · Grand Cross of the Order of Franz Joseph · Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix · Knight of the Order of the Crown · Knight Officer of the Order of the Polar Star · Officer of the Order of Leopold II · Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau · Order of the Star of Romania · Order of the White Lion 5th Class · World Rugby Hall of Fame