In the opinion of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the Olympic Movement achieved its first notes of true perfection at the Games of the Fifth Olympiad in 1912 in Stockholm, Sweden. In his closing message to the Swedish hosts, the Baron was full of praise.  Jim Thorpe’s legendary performance in the decathlon and pentathlon had marked the athletic excellence of the Games, and the Baron was equally pleased that his vision for integrating cultural and sporting competitions finally reached fruition in Stockholm.  This quote is excerpted from the Baron’s closing remarks, which were reprinted in the Olympic Review in September 1912.   

“The hour has struck for the closing of this splendid festival ... of the Vth Olympiad. It leaves us sunny memories, not only because Swedish earth and water have decked themselves out for us with all the enchantments of a radiant summer, but because the art of the spectacle and the concern for technical perfection have been combined by you, Gentlemen of the Swedish Committee, in the most brilliant and successful way. Power and money are far from enough to make an Olympiad; perseverance, patience and tolerance are necessary.”