Movie about Teddy Riner showed at Cannes Film festival

A delegation bidding for the Olympic Games for Paris in 2024 has travelled to the famous Cannes Film Festival to watch the premiere of a movie which charts the life of renowned judoka Teddy Riner.

Riner, who is the chairman of Paris 2024's Athletes' Committee, is the defending Olympic champion and also boasts eight world titles and five European titles and is among the elite of French sport.

The film shown at Cannes - called In the shadow of Teddy Riner, charts the 27-year-old's life as he prepares to defend his Olympic title in Rio de Janeiro in August. He will be returning to the city where he won the World Championship in 2013. French broadcaster Canal+ - owned by Paris sponsor Vivendi - will also show the film today.

Paris 2024 co-chairman and triple Olympic canoeing gold medallist Tony Estanguet is among the Paris party to have travelled with Riner, as well as Marie-Jose Perec, the sprinter who won the 400 metre title at Barcelona 1992 and then the 200m crown at Atlanta 1996.

Riner, who was born in Guadeloupe, 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.”

Budapest, Los Angeles and Rome are also in the hunt with the International Olympic Committee due to elect a host in Lima next year.

The Cannes Film Festival, which attracts thousands to the south of France, is now in its 69th edition.

By Inside the Games

photo by Emmeric Le Person