Pierre de Coubertin Quotes

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.

The heart of our problem is the selfishness in our heart. The human spirit soars with hope when lifted by an encouraging word. The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.

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.

A better world could be brought about only by better individuals.

May joy and good fellowship reign, and in this manner, may the Olympic Torch pursue its way through ages, increasing friendly understanding among nations, for the good of a humanity always more enthusiastic, more courageous and more pure.

For each individual, sport is a possible source for inner improvement

The Olympic flag [] has a white background, with five interlaced rings in the centre: blue, yellow, black, green and red []. This design is symbolic; it represents the five continents of the world, united by Olympism, while the six colours are those that appear on all the national flags of the world at the present time.

The Olympic Spirit is neither the property of one race nor of one age.

The important thing in life is not victory but combat; it is not to have vanquished but to have fought well.

Sport is part of every man and woman's heritage and its absence can never be compensated for.

Olympism... exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, mind and will.

Winning medals wasn't the point of the Olympics. It's the participating that counts.

All sports for all people.

Swifter, higher, stronger.

All sports must be treated on the basis of equality.

The day when a sportsman stops thinking above all else of the happiness in his own effort and the intoxication of the power and physical balance he derives from it, the day when he lets considerations of vanity or interest take over, on this day his ideal will die.

The Olympic Games are for the world and all nations must be admitted to them.

The strength of Olympism comes to it from that which is simply human, hence worldwide is its essence.

The essential thing in life is not so much conquering as fighting well.

The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.

In the name of all competitors I promise that we will take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by all the rules which govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams.

The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.

A country can truly call itself sporting when the majority of its people feel a personal need for sport.

For me sport was a religion... with religious sentiment.