author
père (Henri) Didon
1840–1900
A fiery French Dominican preacher, teacher, and writer, he is remembered both for his bold public voice and for helping shape modern athletic culture. Henri Didon is especially noted for coining the Latin phrase that became the Olympic motto: “Citius, Altius, Fortius.”
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About the author
Born in Le Touvet, France, in 1840, Henri Didon became a Dominican friar and rose to prominence as an eloquent preacher. He also wrote extensively and built a reputation as an educator whose strong personality sometimes brought him into conflict with religious authorities.
In addition to his religious work, he was deeply interested in the education of young people through sport. That side of his legacy reached far beyond the Church: Didon coined the phrase Citius, Altius, Fortius (“Faster, Higher, Stronger”), later adopted as the Olympic motto through his connection with Pierre de Coubertin and the early modern Olympic movement.
He died in Toulouse in 1900. Today he is remembered as an unusual blend of priest, public speaker, school leader, and advocate for the moral value of athletics.