The Olympism

Pierre de Coubertin is considered the founder of the modern Olympic Games. He came from a wealthy family and grew up in a time characterized by political and social unrest. France lost the Franco-German war of 1870-71, and new social classes challenged the established rulers. Coubertin wanted to change the French education system and took ideals from the English boarding schools. Sports were central here, and sports competitions were regarded as an excellent tool for moral education. In addition to educating the individual and contributing to harmony in society, the modern games should contribute to international peace and tolerance.

These ideas can be found again in the Olympic Charter, the rule book of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This ideology that Coubertin wanted to permeate modern society he called OLYMPISM: Olympism is a philosophy of life that reinforces and combines the qualities of body, will, and soul into a balanced whole. By mixing sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life that is based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, and respect for universal, fundamental ethical principles. the development of a peaceful society that is concerned with safeguarding human dignity.

The goal of Olympism is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating young people through sports that are practiced without discrimination of any kind, and in the Olympic spirit that requires mutual understanding and friendship, solidarity and fair play.

(From the Olympic Charter)

To safeguard this philosophical part of the Olympic movement, more than 40 countries have established Olympic academies. Norway is one of these countries. The academy's idea is to work for the Olympic idea and peaceful competition. A world characterized by affection between all people, regardless of social affiliation, faith or skin colour. The academy will also spread awareness about the values of Olympism.

The Norwegian Olympic Academy holds its sessions at Nansenskolen in Lillehammer. The first session was held here in 1988. "Olympism is the religion of change and expansion, the boundary-breaking, the spectacular, the grandiose - whose Olympic motto is: Citius, Altius, Fortius - faster, higher, stronger. This motto was formulated by Father Henri Martin Didon, but used by Coubertin in 1896. It was no coincidence that the first Olympic Games were all linked to World Exhibitions.

The World Exhibitions showed a colossal faith in human reason and possibilities for limitless expansion(...) The Olympic Games were in a way the athletes' world exhibitions" Source and quote: Inge Eidsvåg from the foreword in Olympic Summer Games 1896 - 2004