“Genius of Sport” Exhibit on Olympic Founder at U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
It is now 30 years since the Centennial Olympics opened in Atlanta, but without the efforts of French nobleman Baron Pierre de Coubertin a century before, the Games might never have been revived for the modern era.
With less than two years to go to the LA28 Games it is appropriate that the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum (USOPM) in Colorado Springs is hosting “Genius of Sport” an exhibition dedicated to Coubertin’s work.
Unveiled during the 2024 Paris Olympics, the exhibits are the work of George Hirthler, a public relations expert who “discovered” Coubertin whilst working on Atlanta’s bid for the 1996 Games.
“It’s impossible to overstate Pierre de Coubertin’s global impact and it’s quite inspiring to see how America’s academic community rose up in support of his vision on those two long trips across our country,” Hirthler said.
The displays include information on Coubertin’s visits to the United States as he sought information on the way of sport in other countries.
It also includes cases of artifacts including books by Coubertin and a medal from the first Modern Games in 1896.
“‘Genius of Sport’ is a meaningful addition to our galleries, offering visitors a deeper look at the early development of the modern Olympic Movement and to share another perspective on the people and ideas that shaped Olympic history,” USOPM Chief Executive Marisa Wigglesworth insisted.
The exhibition is staged as a result of a partnership between the USOPM and the United States branch of the Pierre de Coubertin Committee (USPCC).
“We are delighted to join the USOPM in presenting the extraordinary story of Coubertin’s American allies and their efforts to help launch the modern Olympic Games,” said USPCC President Gary Rhodes. “Following this bold, inaugural initiative, we’re looking forward to sharing this story with colleges and universities across the country.”
The exhibition opened at the USOPM in June and is set to continue until December when it is expected to travel across the country.
The USOPM is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.
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