The sport that profoundly influenced his vision for international athletic competition. As the Paris Olympics fast approaches, it's fitting to reflect on Coubertin's connections to rugby, particularly as the sport continues to grow and thrive globally.
Early Life and Rugby Influence
Born into an aristocratic family in Paris in 1863, Pierre de Coubertin was educated in an environment that valued physical education and sport. His admiration for British educational systems, which emphasised the importance of sport in developing character and discipline, played a significant role in shaping his ideas. Rugby, in particular, stood out to Coubertin during his visits to English schools such as Rugby School (which featured most notably in Thomas Hughes’ Tom Brown’s School Days), where the sport was deeply embedded in the culture.
Coubertin believed that rugby embodied the ideals of teamwork, perseverance, and fair play—qualities he wished to instil in the youth of his time. This admiration was evident in his efforts to promote physical education in France, where he advocated for the inclusion of rugby in school curriculums.
The Modern Olympics and Rugby
When Coubertin revived the Olympic Games in 1896, he envisioned them as a platform for promoting peace and unity through sport. Rugby, with its emphasis on teamwork and sportsmanship, aligned perfectly with this vision. In 1900, rugby union was included in the Paris Olympics, marking its debut as an Olympic sport. The French team, composed of players from prominent Parisian clubs, won the gold medal, further cementing the sport’s place in French sporting culture.
Rugby continued to feature in the Olympics in 1908, 1920, and 1924. The 1924 Paris Olympics, in particular, saw a memorable clash between France and the United States, a match marred by on-field violence and off-field controversies, which eventually led to rugby's removal from the Olympic programme. Despite this, Coubertin's influence ensured that the values of rugby—teamwork, respect, and fair play—remained integral to the Olympic ethos.
The Pierre de Coubertin Fair Play Award
Coubertin's legacy in promoting sportsmanship is epitomised by the Pierre de Coubertin Fair Play Award, which honours athletes who demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship. One notable recipient is Tana Umaga, the former New Zealand rugby captain. In 2003, Umaga famously assisted Colin Charvis during a Test match between Wales and the All Blacks, after the back rower had been knocked unconscious. Umaga's actions, prioritising the safety of an opponent over the immediate demands of the game, embodied the very principles Coubertin championed.
Rugby's Continued Olympic Journey
Rugby made a triumphant return to the Olympic stage with rugby sevens at the Rio 2016 Olympics. This format, with its fast-paced and exciting nature, has drawn new fans to the sport and aligns with Coubertin's vision of global unity through athletics. The inclusion of rugby sevens in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics highlights the enduring connection between the sport and the city where Coubertin's Olympic dream was realised.
High-profile stars from the Guinness Men’s and Women’s Six Nations have embarked on the Olympic sevens journey for this year’s campaign – including two Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship winners, France’s Antoine Dupont and England’s Ellie Kildunne – making the events in Paris all the more unmissable.
Back-to-back Championship winner Hugo Keenan will compete for Ireland, while Jasmine Joyce-Butchers of Wales, representing Team GB, is also set to become the first player to feature at the three Olympic Games in sevens, before making her full-time return to rugby union with Bristol Bears.
The Men’s Olympics Sevens begins 24th July, with the Women’s events commencing on 28th July. See the schedule here.
