What are the Olympic and Paralympic values?
The founder of the Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin, was really interested in education. He wanted the Games to be a celebration of mind, body and spirit and he developed a set of values. These values can be interpreted as:
- Respect - fair play; knowing one’s own limits; and taking care of one’s health and the environment
- Excellence - how to give the best of oneself, on the field of play or in life; taking part; and progressing according to one’s own objectives
- Friendship - how, through sport, to understand each other despite any differences
The Paralympic values are based on the history of the Paralympic Games and the tradition of fair play and honourable sports competition.
They are:
- courage;
- determination;
- inspiration; and
- equality