Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the controversial French founder of the modern Olympics, is proving to be a divisive figure for organisers of the Paris Games. Yet while some deplore his sexist and colonialist remarks, others have praised his dedication to using sport to promote peace, viewing him as a visionary and a humanist.
The Paris-born aristocrat who founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the end of the 19th century is once again proving to be a divisive figure ahead of the Paris Olympics. While Baron Pierre de Coubertin has been slammed for his views on women and colonialism, others have praised his dedication to using sport to promote peace and see him as a visionary.
