AS THE curtain falls on this year's Olympic Games, it's a fitting moment to reflect on the legacy of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics.
With his vision of a global sports event realised, one question lingers in the air.
Did Pierre de Coubertin himself ever win an Olympic gold medal?
Verdict:
TRUE
Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, indeed won a gold medal, but not in a sport as many might assume – he secured his victory in the arts.
At the 1912 Stockholm Games, de Coubertin entered a competition under the pseudonym "Georges Hohrod and Martin Eschbach."
His entry, an "Ode to Sport," won him the gold medal in the literature category.
De Coubertin's vision for the Olympics extended beyond just athletic competition.
He aimed to blend art and sport, promoting a holistic approach to human excellence.
The inclusion of arts competitions was part of his broader vision, which is still relevant today.
While the arts contests were eventually discontinued, his contributions to both sport and culture remain significant.
By ensuring the recognition of artistic achievement alongside athletic prowess, de Coubertin's legacy lives on, reminding us of the diverse dimensions of the Olympic spirit.
You can read De Coubertin's Gold-winning masterpiece here.
References:
1) https://olympics.com/en/news/look-to-the-past-when-olympic-medals-were-awarded-for-architecture-music-and-lit
2) https://olympics.com/ioc/news/art-and-sport-pierre-de-coubertin-s-vision-is-just-as-relevant-today
