Bach says Confucian thought and Olympism share common ground

JINAN, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- International Olympic Committee honorary president Thomas Bach called for greater dialogue between civilizations and cultures on Monday, highlighting the common ground between Confucian thought and the Olympic movement.

This aerial photo taken on June 8, 2023 shows the Nishan Sacredland in Qufu City, east China's Shandong Province. (File photo: Xinhua)

"You are deepening the dialogue between Confucian wisdom and the Olympic spirit," Bach said in a video address to the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius.

Bach recalled his visit to Qufu in 2023, saying the trip had allowed him to see firsthand the similarities between Confucian thought and Olympism.

"I have indeed very fond memories of my visit to the birthplace of Confucius a few years ago," Bach said. "It gave me the opportunity to discover firsthand how much Confucian thought and Olympism have in common."

Bach said Confucius' emphasis on developing both body and mind reflected an idea also found in the ancient Roman saying "Mens sana in corpore sano," meaning "a sound mind in a sound body."

"This same understanding is at the heart of Olympism," he said.

Bach said Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the IOC and reviver of the modern Olympic Games, viewed sport as being about more than physical competition, emphasizing education and values as well as building bridges and fostering understanding among nations and peoples.

"In our divided world, we need such dialogue between civilizations, people and cultures more than ever," Bach said.

He welcomed the return of the Nishan Forum's Sports and Culture Forum, first held in 2024, saying it continued to provide a platform to explore connections between Confucian thought and the Olympic spirit.