Religion and the Olympics—and the Olympics as Religion

Religion and the Olympics—and the Olympics as Religion –  Here’ a brief story about Pierre de Coubertin, the aristocratic Frenchman who revived the Olympics in 1896. “Deeply suspicious of conventional theistic religions they promoted Olympism as a substitute for traditional faith.” Church historian Elesha Coffmann adds that when Coubertin “announced his decision to reinstate the games, he said, ‘The first essential characteristic of the Olympics, both ancient as well as modern, is to be a religion. . . . It represents, above and outside the churches, humanity’s superior religion.’”