The goals of the Olympic Movement were always lofty and far reaching.  Since the ultimate aim of the Games was—and is—to unite the world in friendship and peace through sport, Baron Pierre de Coubertin wanted his colleagues to keep their eyes on the prize as they restarted the Games after World War I. In his “Letter to the Members of the International Olympic Committee” in January, 1919, he offered this reminder. We have quoted from this letter before—and will again—since it so clearly captured the Baron’s view of the true mission of the Olympic Movement after it had survived the war. 

“For a long time now we have set our sights on the heights that restored Olympism can and must achieve.”