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The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in Life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.

— Pierre de Coubertin The Olympian (1984)

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More quotes by Pierre de Coubertin

A better world could be brought about only by better individuals.

Winning medals wasn’t the point of the Olympics. It’s the participating that counts.

I therefore think that I was right in trying from the outset of the Olympic revival to rekindle a religious awareness.

In the name of all the competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams.

The Olympic Idea : Discourses and Essays (1970)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Pierre de Coubertin (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.