Father Henri Didon is quite simply the one who invented the Olympic motto 130 years ago: "Citius, Altius, Fortius" for "Faster, Higher, Stronger".
In 1894, the Sorbonne saw the creation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which set the first date of the Olympic Games of the modern era for Athens in 1896. It was during this event that the motto was officially adopted. Father Didon, accompanied by about ten students, actively participated in these Athenian Olympic Games.
To celebrate this great local figure of his time, the diocese chose to pay tribute to him this Sunday, January 14, for the launch of the Olympic year, especially with Paris 2024. This motto had been chosen by Pierre de Coubertin and was thus quite simply invented by his friend, the Dominican priest Henri Didon.
For the Olympic Games, the diocese chose the church of Saint-Denys in Arcueil, which is very close to the Albert-Le-Grand college in Arcueil where Father Henri was the headmaster, according to Vatican News. A chapel belonging to this church was even consecrated to "fraternal sport" on the occasion of a Mass celebrated by Bishop Blanchet.
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"A reminder to say that sport is an invitation to surpass oneself, in the service of the person, their dignity, and the common good," explained Father Richard Gorski, parish priest, to Vatican News.
Henri Didon, the Priest of Youth through Sport
Father Didon was thus one of the first figures of modern sport. He organized many sports competitions for the students of the Albert-Le-Grand college in Arcueil. He loved sport, which, according to him, allows man to develop in all aspects. This is also why in his motto the term "Citius" – "faster" – relates to the spirit; "Altius" – "higher" – to the elevation of the soul which is on the path towards God; and "Fortius" – "stronger" – is linked to the body, which is shaped by sport. Father Henri Didon was, nevertheless, a very big fan of football.