In Baron Pierre de Coubertin’s view, the presence of sport, competition or the athletic instinct itself did not constitute Olympism. Olympism was a higher form of athleticism, fostered by the presence of philosophical meaning, moral purpose and symbolic depth. As he aged, he was always concerned that Olympic Games would fall prey to the pure lure of sporting passions and lose their vital connection to the higher values of Olympism.  In his 1934 article, “Olympism at School: It Must Be Encouraged,” which appeared in La Revue Sportive Illustrée, he emphasized this point, reminding his colleagues in the IOC that they were guardians of a movement with far more import than a mere global sports competition.

“It can easily be shown that among a great many people—not all—the athletic instinct is present, even right from their very origins. Is this Olympism? Not at all. In order for Olympism to become manifest, the athletic instinct must be surrounded by esthetic and moral concerns, as well. It must invite philosophy to arbitrate its competitions.”