Bach makes plea for Coubertin to be judged fairly in France
by Philip Barker
At a concert in the great Sorbonne Hall to celebrate Olympic Day, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach pleaded for Baron Pierre de Coubertin to be given greater recognition in France.
“Every human being must be judged only and solely in the context of his or her time” he insisted.
“I’d like our visionary founder to be judged more often in the same way. Coubertin was what we would call today a peace activist.”
It was exactly 130 years ago in the same hall that a resolution was made to revive the Olympics for the Modern Era.
The meeting to do so had been largely organised by Coubertin.
“Not only did he revive the Games, he also conceptualised the idea of international sport, accessible to all, with universal rules. This system, still in force today, bears witness to the durability of his vision,” Bach added.
“We can be proud to perpetuate his legacy into the future. I raise my glass to the Olympic idea, which has pierced through the mist of ages like a powerful ray of sunlight and returns to illuminate, for us, with a glow of joyful hope.”
Association Familiale Pierre de Coubertin President Alexandra de Navacelle had been the driving force in organising a concert for the anniversary.
“In a time marked by nationalism and tension, he was convinced that sport could bring people together and promote cooperation,” she told the audience.
Guests included Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet and the new IOC member Michelle Yeoh.
There had been controversy in the French Press which cited Coubertin’s praise for Berlin Olympic Organisers in 1936 and his consistent opposition to women’s participation in Olympic competition.
Earlier in the year a proposal to induct Coubertin into the French Pantheon had been rejected.
Only 135 women took part at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, a figure which represented just over four percent of the total number of competitors.
It has taken 100 years for gender parity in the Games.
Earlier in the day, Bach unveiled a sculpture by Los Angeles artist Alison Saar, a gift from the IOC to the city.
It depicts a seated woman of African origin.
Your art is an invitation to take a seat – and reflect on the beauty of diversity of humankind,” Bach told the artist.
Meanwhile the Olympic Torch Relay arrived in Chamonix, the resort which in 1924 hosted what were later designated as the first Winter Olympics.
24 torch bearers made a climb of the Aiguille du Midi needle. They included mountain rescue emergency doctor Sonia Popoff.
Their ascent was filmed and shown to the crowds on the big screen as the Relay reached its climax.
Five-time Olympic Biathlon gold medallist Martin Fourcade was also on hand to carry the Flame.
The celebratory cauldron was lit by eight-time Paralympic skiing gold medallist Marie Bochet and Alain Calmat who had won figure skating silver 60 years ago. Calmat had also ignited the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the Grenoble Winter Olympics in 1968 when his heartbeat during the final approach was relayed to the crowd.
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