奥林匹克运动还有一句广为流传的名言信条："重要的是参与，而不是取胜"。这句名言来源于1908年在伦敦的圣-保罗大教堂一次宗教仪式上宾夕法尼亚主教的一段讲话。顾拜旦解释说："正如在生活中最重要的事情不是胜利，而是斗争，不是征服，而是奋力拼搏"。

　　Pierre de Coubertin got the idea for this phrase from a speech given by Bishop Ethelbert Talbot at a service for Olympic champions during the 1908 Olympic Games. The Olympic Creed reads:

　　"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

　　The creed and motto are meant to spur the athletes to embrace the Olympic spirit and perform to the best of their abilities.