Baron Pierre de Coubertin
Founder of the Modern Olympics
Modern Olympics
• Founded by Pierre de Coubertin.• Influenced by Cotswold Olympicks and
Wenlock Games.• Liked the Ideals of English Public Schools.• Aims were friendship, patriotism and
athleticism between nations.
Cotswold Games held in Gloucester at Whitsun from 1612.
Robert Dover’s
Cotswold
Olympick
Games
1896 Athens. Gymnastics
1896 Athens. Cycling
1896 Athens. Swimming.
In the sea!
1896 Athens
Team U S A
In the stadium
1896 Athens
Spiridon Louis
Greece
Marathon winner
1900 Paris.
Enter the ‘Ladies’ Tennis & Golf
1900 Paris.
Equestrian Events
1904 St Louis
Pole Vault
Where’s the crash mat?
1904 St Louis.
The marathon!
1904 St Louis
First Black athletes
1908 London
The crowd
1912 Stockholm. Running Deer Shooting
1916
The Great War
1920 Antwerp. Swimming, outdoor pool
Chariots of Fire1924 Olympics in Paris
The story of Harold Abrahams 100m
and Eric Liddell 400m
Harold
Abrahams
Eric Liddell
Harold Abrahams
Chariots of Fire
• Issues:
• Place of University in British Sport.• Amateurs and Professionals.• Level of organisation in the Olympics.• Religion in Sport.
