In 2013, the Olympic Movement is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Pierre de Coubertin. The French baron, inventor of the modern Games, continues to inspire new generations. A legacy visible almost everywhere in the world, particularly in the United States. As proof, the upcoming release of a biography, entitled The Idealist. Its author, the American George Hirthler, one of the most relevant experts in the Olympic Movement, advisor to the IOC and numerous candidatures, answered questions from FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux:Why did you decide to write a book on Pierre de Coubertin?
George Hirthler: For at least three reasons. If you look at the impact of his life, work and ideas on the world today, it's hard not to consider him one of the most influential and important people born in the 19th century. 150 years after his birth, his legacy is growing stronger: putting sport at the service of humanity. The second reason is that we live in a world divided by war, animosities, terrorism, religion and ethnic conflicts. But here we have a man who envisioned the possibility of developing friendship and peace through sport and created a global festival that does what no other modern institution has been able to do: unite us in a great celebration that reminds billions of people around the world that we can find common ground Finally, I think his story is fascinating on many levels. He was born on January 1, 1863, the same day Abraham Lincoln signed the Proclamation of Independence, and he turned to sports as one of history's greatest forces for social liberation. Although he was born into the aristocracy, he embraced the egalitarianism of the Third Republic and spent his life finding ways to educate, liberate and create opportunities for everyone. It straddles two centuries of life, 37 years in the 19th century and 37 years in the 20th century. I am surprised that France has not embraced one of its greatest citizens historically and still today, since his work fully embodies the promises of modernity that has made Paris the cultural capital of the world throughout the centuries.
Is your book a classic biography?
No, The Idealist is a work of historical fiction. By setting out to write this book, I wanted to give readers a new level of imaginative access to Coubertin's life, introduction to a level of intimacy known only to best friends and family. My goal is to make him known as well as his Olympic legacy. I hope this news will help popularize his story because I believe that Baron Pierre de Coubertin is one of the greatest forgotten heroes of History.
What does the name Pierre de Coubertin evoke in the United States?
Except in a few academic circles, his name means very little. And that's not surprising. This is how it is in almost all countries. Perhaps in France and England, and certainly in Switzerland, his name might have some level of recognition, but not even a fraction of the awareness it deserves. I think it is shameful that every Olympian – and there must be 70.000 or 100.000 Olympians alive today, does not receive an education about their life and the values of the Olympic ideal. They should all be ambassadors of his name.
In your opinion, is Coubertin’s legacy still strong?
Not only is he strong, but he is getting stronger all over the world. The Olympic Movement is still overcoming obstacles and developing a global sports industry. And the television audience for the Olympic Games is still growing. Over the past 50 years, television and sponsorship have transformed the movement into an industry, and yet we are still only 119 years after the founding of the modern Games by Pierre de Coubertin. I believe that if the Olympic Movement finds a way to put Coubertin's vision and his ideals at the center of its vision for the future and pushes harder to return to an educational focus on the values of sport within reach, its influence and its prestige will continue to grow.
What would Pierre de Coubertin think of the IOC and the Olympic Movement today?
He would be proud of the extraordinary scale and scope of the Olympic Movement, of the quality of the global broadcasts which bring its Games to every corner of the world. He would be fascinated by the intense drama and competitive excellence of the Games. But he would be saddened by the loss or ineffectiveness of the educational importance of the Movement and the lack of teaching of Olympic ideals. He would applaud the fight against doping that the International Olympic Committee has led so aggressively. Overall, he would be satisfied with the affirmation that his vision had come to life, exceeded his expectations in many ways, and still holds the promise for even more achievements in the centuries to come.
For more information on this book and reserve your copy: www.coubertintheidealist.com
