In his first full assessment of “The Olympic Games of 1896,” Baron Pierre de Coubertin sought to remind his readers of the core mission of the Olympic Movement: to strengthen education by promoting sport in the schools.  While his report on the inaugural Games in Athens included a full recount of the athletic highlights, he wanted to ensure that education through sport held its place among the priorities of the Games.  This quote is from the article (title in quotes above) that appeared in The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine in 1896. 

“It is my belief that no education, particularly in democratic times, can be good and complete without the aid of athletics; but athletics, in order to play their proper educational role, must be based on perfect disinterestedness and the sentiment of honor.”