Pierre the Coubertin Medal is award for:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (1):
The Pierre de Coubertin Medal is one of the highest and most distinguished honours bestowed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is named after the founder of the modern Olympic Games, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, whose philosophy was rooted in the moral and educational value of sport. Crucially, this award is *not* given for winning a competition; it is reserved for athletes, or teams, who demonstrate an exceptional spirit of fair play, self-sacrifice, and ethical conduct during the Olympic Games or their sporting career. The medal specifically celebrates those who embody the fundamental Olympic ideal that "the important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight; the essential thing is not to have won, but to have fought well."

The incorrect options are (2), (3), and (4):
The Coubertin Medal is fundamentally different from awards given for athletic success. *Sports achievement* (Option 2) is recognised by the traditional gold, silver, and bronze medals presented to the top three finishers in each event, which are based purely on measurable performance, not conduct. The focus of this specific honour is on moral integrity rather than competitive results. Similarly, the medal is not solely for *Talented athletes* (Option 3); while recipients are often highly skilled, the criteria is character and ethical action, meaning talent alone is irrelevant. The award celebrates a moment of exemplary conduct, not merely innate ability or general skill level. Finally, *Disciplined team* (Option 4) is too general; while discipline is important, this medal is awarded for a singular act of outstanding, profound sportsmanship or fair play, which goes far beyond the expected standard of team discipline.