Medal Tally. Pierre de Coubertin. Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin (French pronunciation: [pjɛʁ də kubɛʁtɛ̃]; 1 January 1863 – 2 September 1937) was a French educator and historian, and founder of the International Olympic Committee. He is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games. Born into a French aristocratic family, he became an academic and studied a broad range of topics, most notably education and history. Early life[edit] Pierre de Frédy was born in Paris on January 1 1863 into an established aristocratic family.[1] He was the fourth child of Baron Charles Louis Frédy, Baron de Coubertin and Marie–Marcelle Gigault de Crisenoy.[2] Family tradition held that the Frédy name had first arrived in France in the early 15th century, and the first recorded title of nobility granted to the family was given by Louis XI to an ancestor, also named Pierre de Frédy, in 1477.
Educational philosophy[edit] Unfortunately for Coubertin, his efforts to incorporate more physical education into French schools failed. The Olympic Rings. The Olympic Games. By Kelsey Age Range: 5 to 11 This is a great activity to teach students about other countries, learn about the Olympics, get exercise, and have a healthy competition. Here's how it works: 1) In most schools there are more than one class of each year group. Each class chooses a country to study and divides their class into different groups to compete in different sports. 2) Children in each year group will compete against each other. 5) The students will study the country that their class has chosen, learn about the rules of their competition, and learn about the Olympics. 6) After a couple of weeks of preparation, each class will present what they have learnt about their country to the school, and then the "Olympics" will begin - that's when the classes will compete against each other.
*This activity also works well for Social Studies. Ancient Olympic Games. During the celebration of the games, an Olympic Truce was enacted so that athletes could travel from their countries to the games in safety. The prizes for the victors were olive leaf wreaths or crowns. The games became a political tool used by city-states to assert dominance over their rivals. Politicians would announce political alliances at the games, and in times of war, priests would offer sacrifices to the gods for victory. The games were also used to help spread Hellenistic culture throughout the Mediterranean. Origins An artist's impression of ancient Olympia To the Greeks, it was important to root the Olympic Games in mythology.[5] During the time of the ancient games their origins were attributed to the gods, and competing legends persisted as to who actually was responsible for the genesis of the games.[6] These origin of traditions have become nearly impossible to untangle, yet a chronology and patterns have arisen that help people understand the story behind the games.[7]