Pierre de Coubertin

Coubertin convened the Sorbonne Congress in Paris, where delegates from 12 countries voted to revive the Olympic Games and established the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He became the IOC's second president and drafted the Olympic Charter, laying the foundation for the modern Olympic movement.

Coubertin organized the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, with 241 athletes from 14 nations competing in 43 events. The games were a success, establishing the quadrennial tradition and promoting international athletic competition and amateurism.

Coubertin designed the Olympic flag with five interlocking rings representing the five continents, and introduced the Olympic oath for athletes. These symbols were first used at the 1920 Antwerp Games, becoming enduring icons of the Olympic movement.

Coubertin resigned as IOC President in 1925 after 29 years, citing a desire to focus on educational work. He was succeeded by Henri de Baillet-Latour. Coubertin continued to promote Olympism through writing and lectures until his death in 1937.