Full of confidence as the preparations for the 1908 London Olympic Games rolled forward without disruption, Baron Pierre de Coubertin was certain the future of his movement was secure.  Writing for the Fortnightly Review that year, the baron was overly optimistic in his long-range view.  If he had had a crystal ball, he would have recognized the second part of his statement would prove futile as World War I arrived six years later.  This is from his article, “Why I Revived the Olympic Games.”

“Surely, during the twelve years they have been celebrated with an ever-increasing brilliancy of success, the Olympic Games have given proof of sufficient vitality to assure their future, and we no longer need to fear any break in the continuity of our revived Olympiads.”