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Pierre de Coubertin

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Sports Executive

The Resume

    (January 1, 1863-September 2, 1937)
    Born in Paris, France
    Birth name was Pierre de Fredy
    Baron de Coubertin
    Founder of the International Olympic Committee
    IOC President (1896-1925)

Why he might be annoying:

    One reason he promoted athletics was his belief that his country lost the Franco-Prussian War (1871) because the French had grown soft.
    He insisted on amateur athletics in the Olympics partly to make it more difficult for the working classes to compete against his fellow aristocrats.
    His is often credited with both the Olympic motto ('Faster, Higher, Stronger') and Olympic creed ('The important thing is not to win, but to take part') although both originated with other people.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was a multisport athlete, taking part in boxing, fencing, horse riding and rowing.
    He designed the Olympic rings (1913).
    He is often not given credit because of propaganda during the Berlin Olympics (1936) to make it seem as if the rings had an ancient Greek origin.
    The Olympic medal for sportsmanship was named after him.
    His body was buried near IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, while his heart was buried in Olympia, Greece.
    After the Olympic torch is lit, the first runner carrying it stops at the Coubertin monument.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 9 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 123 Votes: 61.79% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 28 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 10.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 17 Votes: 64.71% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 20 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 68.75% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 15 Votes: 73.33% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 21 Votes: 61.90% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying