The French judoka is already making sporting history in his country. He is a three-time Olympic gold medallist and eleven-time world champion. In fact, he is the most decorated sportsman in the history of France and the most by any judoka in history

At the age of 35, far from thinking about the end of his fifth Olympic Games, with the special significance of being at home, Rinner is looking for two more medals.  It is not for me to say," Riner told AFP in an interview when asked if two more titles in Paris would make him the greatest French athlete in history.

After winning individual judo bronze on his debut in Beijing in 2008 and gold in London and Rio de Janeiro, Rinner fell short of a historic third consecutive +100kg title in Tokyo, settling for another bronze. After Paris, he looks ahead to Los Angeles 2028 and the legacy his approach to judo will leave behind.

Lucien Gaudin and Christian d'Oriola, both fencers, are the only French athletes to have won four gold medals at the Summer Olympics.

Born on April 7, 1989, in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, Riner began his athletic journey at a multisport club in Aquaboulevard, Paris, when he was five. During his early years, he tried out different sports, such as climbing, golf, tennis, and swimming, but eventually found his passion in judo.

At 15, he joined the French national team at INSEP and began his professional career two years later. Riner reigned supreme on the tatami, winning national, European, and world titles at junior level, establishing himself as the heir to the French judo legend David Douillet.

In 2007, Riner became the youngest judo world champion at 18, winning the gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro World Championship a year after securing the junior title.