By Robert Fawdon, Paris, May 22, 2016: A delegation from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid has this weekend traveled to the iconic Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of the movie ‘In the shadow of Teddy Riner’ – a feature length film covering the last three years of the legendary Judoka’s life.
The reigning Olympic Champion, eight time World Champion and chair of the Paris 2024 Athletes’ Committee – Riner is the most successful Judoka in history. Starting with his World Championship victory in Rio de Janeiro in 2013, the movie charts Riner’s life as he prepares to defend his Olympic title in the heavyweight division at Rio 2016 in the same city as his 2013 triumph.
Canal+, owned by Paris 2024 sponsor Vivendi, will also broadcast the film later today.
Riner was joined in Cannes by Paris 2024 Co-Chairman and Triple Olympic Gold Medallist in Canoeing, Tony Estanguet; double Olympic Gold Medallist in Athletics, Marie-Jose Perec; and double European Champion in Volleyball, Victoria Ravva.
The 69th edition of the global film festival is proving to be another wonderful cultural celebration attracting iconic members of the film industry from around the world. This year’s festival will welcome 4500 accredited journalists and the population of Cannes will almost triple to 200,000.
London 2012 Olympic Gold Medallist, Teddy Riner, said:
“I am humbled and hugely honoured to be here at the world famous Cannes Film Festival to unveil this movie. I’m very proud of what I have achieved so far in my career and I hope that I can inspire many young people in France and around the world to achieve their dreams. I will take huge pride in this moment and I will use it as extra motivation as I go for Gold for Team France at Rio 2016.”
Paris 2024 Co-Chairman, Tony Estanguet, said:
“We are very proud of Teddy’s remarkable achievements and young people across France can take great inspiration from his success and dedication to sport. It’s fantastic to be here to celebrate with Teddy at the iconic Cannes Film Festival – an annual global event which highlight’s France’s creative industries and passion for the arts. If we are selected to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024, France’s artistic values will add a great deal to what will be a wonderful celebration of sport and culture.”
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