Research On Coubertin's Sports Thought

The history of world sport saw a new era when the first modern Olympics was held in Greece in 1986. Starting from that point, the athletes world over have got an platform for gathering together to compete in the spirit of fair play. Olympic games is not simply a congregation of sports events, it's also a vehicle for promoting friendship, understanding and peace. In this more and more material world, Olympic ideal, Olympic spirit, Olympic oath and Olympic education have become more and more popular in the world, driving people to pursue something that are not so material. In fact, Olympics itself has become an economic phenomenon, never failing to bring enormous social and economic impact on the hosting country's economy. All these, we must say, can't be there without the efforts of a Frenchman: Baron de Coubertin.Referring mainly to Coubertin's works, the author outlines the basic structure of Coubertin's sports thought through logical analysis. In his early days Coubertin intended to reform French education with the help of physical education and made some success. Soon afterwards Coubertin turned his attention to broader sphere, committing himself to the reviving of Olympics so as to provide a platform for youth world over to compete with each other in the spirit of fair play. The ultimate goal of Coubertin is to realize the idea of"sports for all", that's to promote world peace exploiting the educational function of sports on a personal basis. Confined by the time he was at, there are limitations in Coubertin's sports thought concerning the issue of amateurism and women's participation in the Olympics. These are discussed in the latter part.