International Olympic Committee (IOC) Founding Year

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the supreme authority of the worldwide Olympic movement. It is an international non-governmental organization responsible for organizing the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

Coubertin's Vision for Modern Olympics

The revival of the ancient Olympic Games into their modern form was largely the vision and persistent effort of a French educator and historian, Baron Pierre de Coubertin. He believed that sport could be a powerful tool for promoting peace, international understanding, and moral development among young people. His dream was to bring together athletes from around the world in a peaceful competition that transcended national boundaries.

Founding of the International Olympic Committee

To realize his vision, Coubertin organized an international congress at the Sorbonne University in Paris in June 1894. This congress brought together delegates from various countries who shared his enthusiasm for the revival of the Olympic Games. During this historic congress, two significant decisions were made:

• It was decided that the first modern Olympic Games would be held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, paying homage to the ancient origins of the Games.
• More importantly, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was formally established on June 23, 1894. This organization was created to oversee the revival and future governance of the Olympic Games.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin served as the first Secretary-General of the IOC from 1894 to 1896, and then as President from 1896 to 1925, playing a pivotal role in shaping the early years of the modern Olympic movement.

Key Takeaways on IOC Founding

• Founder: Baron Pierre de Coubertin
• Year Founded: 1894
• Purpose: To revive and govern the modern Olympic Games.
• Location of Founding: Paris, France (Sorbonne University)

Therefore, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1894.