the workers' olympiads were created as a counterweight for the olympic games, which were criticized for being confined for the upper social classes and privileged people. the international workers' sports movement did not believe that the true olympic spirit could be achieved in an olympic movement dominated by the aristocratic leadership. pierre de coubertin, founder of the international olympic committee, had always opposed women's participation and supported the cultural superiority of white europeans over other races. his followers, henri de baillet-latour and avery brundage, were openly anti-semitic and both collaborated with the nazis. on the contrary, the workers' olympiads opposed all kinds of chauvinism, sexism, racism and social exclusiveness. the olympic games were based in rivalry between the nations, but the workers' olympiads stressed internationalism, friendship, solidarity and peace.