Atlanta’s own Olympic expert defends modern games’ founder

Atlanta writer and Olympics historian George Hirthler took to a May 30 International Olympic Committee panel to defend the legacy of the modern Olympic movement founder Pierre de Coubertin amidst criticisms of his views on race and women. 

Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator and historian is known as the father of the modern Olympic Games. He co-founded the International Olympic Committee in 1894 and served as its second president from 1896-1925. Coubertin aimed to promote “Olympism” as a means for cross-cultural connection and understanding that would promote peace and prevent war. 

Coubertin’s legacy has loomed over the Olympics as it heads to Paris for the Summer 2024 games – exactly 100 years after the games were last held in Paris. This year, the first stop for the flame that lights the July 26 opening ceremony was at a memorial to Coubertin in Olympia, Greece. 

But the historical figure has been described by some as racist and misogynistic. 

Some academic articles and news outlets like News18 point to Coubertin’s self-description as a “colonialist.” He once wrote that sports and colonialism are “natural companions.” Coubertin also advocated against including women’s sports in the Olympic games. 

At the May 30 virtual panel, International Olympic Committee member Guy Drut, President of the Pierre de Coubertin Family Association Alexandra de Navacelle, and Atlanta-based Olympics writer and historian George Hirthler took on the touchy subject. 

“A lot of people are simply being knocked off their pedestals because of the number of people who believe or who juncture the past over the eyes of the present,” Drut said. “For us, this is unacceptable.” 

George Hirthler is the co-founder of Atlanta Story Partners, which is producing the feature documentary “The Games in Black and White” on the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. He wrote the winning Olympic bids of Atlanta 1996, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and LA 2028.  Hirthler wrote “The Idealist,” a historical fiction novel on Pierre de Coubertin. He received the third Pierre de Coubertin Medal from the Olympic committee, founded the U.S. Pierre de Coubertin committee and is working on a Coubertin exhibition opening in Paris next month. 

The Coubertin expert said many people aren’t aware of the founder’s contribution – and have misconceptions about his character. Particularly, Hirthler alleged Coubertin was not racist. 

Among other statements about racial superiority, Coubertin has been quoted saying, “the fight for the pureness of (the white) race remains the basic aim of its members,” according to United World Colleges.  

Hirthler, though, told the panel of Coubertin’s visit to the American South, where he saw the mistreatment of Black people firsthand. 

Coubertin was also quoted saying, “The fight for the pureness of (the white) race remains the basic aim of its members.” 

“When he was writing about the American South, he said if the southern states are stupid enough to uphold this brilliant legislation much longer, one must believe they will pay dearly for it,” Hirthler said. 

The writer called it an “anti-racist statement” and said Coubertin wanted to ensure the games were a celebration of human diversity. He also argued against claims that Coubertin was a misogynist because he did not want women to participate in the games. 

Coubertin was not entirely against women playing sports. He once said, “If there are women who want to play football or box, they should be free to, provided that it happens without spectators.” 

The panelists theorized that Coubertin took the stance to “protect” women from ridicule. Hirthler said the founder had “foresight” on the sexualization of women in sports. But Alexandra de Navacelle, a descendant of Coubertin, also specified that his statements must be considered for their era. 

“If you take words out of context, you might see just one side of a man,” Navacelle said. 

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris will kick off as planned on July 26, running to August 11 with a host of athletic competitions. 

“We are aware that there are many things going on, there is a war going on, but our intention is to actually commemorate something important,” Navacelle said. “We invite all those who want to celebrate the anniversary with us.”