Athletes & Philanthropy Part I
Citius, Altius, Fortius - Faster, Higher, Stronger.
Words that inspired a movement.
“Look ahead – Talk frankly – Work strongly” - Pierre de Coubertin
A motto that ignited a revolution.
Pierre de Coubertin is the visionary founder and first President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who embarked on a lifelong quest to resurrect the Olympic Games. He was a man on a mission, driven by a belief in the unifying power of sports, the potential to transcend borders, and to inspire generations of athletes and sports fans. We’re proud to see our High Impact Athletes take up his mantle by embodying these very ideals.
Pierre was not merely a dreamer; he was a man of action. As an elite athlete himself, and the creator of the Modern Pentathlon, he gave not only his heart and soul but also his substantial wealth into his next bold vision – an idea to reshape the world through the unifying force of sports. After personally going bankrupt chasing this vision, he turned to the fortune of his wife. They sold off her treasure trove of artwork that included over 250 masterpieces by renowned artists like Breughel, Rembrandt, and Goya.
For Coubertin, the value of his vision for the Olympics far exceeded the worth of any painting. Coubertin envisioned the modern Olympic Games as a means to build a better world through the spirit of sports. The Olympics, to him, were more than just a collection of sporting events; they were a platform for fostering international understanding and cooperation, cultivating unity among people from different backgrounds and encouraging humanity to extend a helping hand to one another. Despite his dedication, he did not live to witness the Olympics reach the heights he had imagined. Yet, his legacy and his philanthropic vision was carried forward, shaping the Olympics into the global symbol of unity and solidarity it is today.
In July 2021, the International Olympic Committee underwent a transformative change in its Olympic motto, a shift that reflected the binding strength of sports. By adding the word ‘together’ to ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger,’ the new Olympic motto resounded with an ethos that transcended boundaries. In the words of IOC President Bach, ‘Solidarity fuels our mission to make the world a better place through sport. We can only go faster, we can only aim higher, we can only become stronger by standing together — in solidarity.’
This updated motto rings true with High Impact Athletes (HIA), our community of athletes championing the idea that every individual should have the opportunity to engage in sports. Our approach to philanthropy is a balance between compassion and rationality, engaging both the heart and the mind. Our commitment extends far beyond traditional charity; it's about strategically addressing the most pressing issues faced by those who may never get the chance to participate in sports. Malaria, waterborne illnesses, and malnutrition disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, putting many children's lives at risk from these preventable issues. That's why we focus our philanthropic efforts on interventions with the highest potential for impact, ensuring that our resources are directed where they can make the most substantial difference. This embodies a principle we've learned from decades in elite sport: it's not just about playing the game; it's about winning because in the end results do matter.
In our relentless pursuit of this vision, we dedicate substantial time and effort to identify high-impact giving opportunities. It's crucial to recognize that the impact of directing one's philanthropy towards high-impact charities can be nothing short of remarkable. A single dollar given to such organizations can be hundreds of times more transformative than the average donation. Consider this: by redirecting your giving, you have the potential to prevent hundreds of deaths in your lifetime, rather than just one. In sports, the stakes often feel like life and death, but in reality, they aren't. However, when it comes to providing safe drinking water or malaria protection, the impact is life-changing. The results matter, and that's why we are unwavering in our commitment to making every charitable effort count.
We continue this pursuit of a brighter future, driven by the belief that the world moves forward only when it moves together. We continue the legacy of Pierre de Coubertin, leveraging the universal language of sports to make the world a better place – Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together.