Teddy Riner, injured and ruled out for the 2022 Judo World Cup, trusted in his future goals, including the 2024 Paris Olympics, but also in his desire to continue competing despite the age he is beginning to feel.
Don’t talk about retirement. Teddy Riner is always hungry. He is out for the 2022 World Cup due to a right ankle injury, said the best judoka in history (33) during an evening organized by Decathlon, in which he was named captain of a team of 33 athletes sponsored by the equipment manufacturer for the Paris 2024 Games. Olympic Games, in which he hoped to be there in two years to collect gold.
Is it worrying to be injured at your age?
No, because you journalists are behind this. But all my career, I hid injuries. There are many that you did not know. Today, this is blatant because I had to give up a world championship. During my entire career, I have ridden almost all the time injured in competitions because my sport is traumatic. Today, I am not risking two years of the Games.
Looking back, how did last summer’s loss change the way you look at things?
What do you call defeat? Thanks to this bronze medal, I am the best judoka of all time. More seriously, yes, I would have liked to have had gold but since I repeat this bronze, it has gold value. I do the crosses before the competition, I come back with two medals (team gold, individual bronze). Yes, I got you used to gold, but that’s not always possible. But I am very proud because I make my family happy and silence my detractors.
I still have this love of getting on the mat
How will the next two seasons unfold?
It’s going to be like the last season. Going to train abroad, going to face the best judokas on the planet. Participate in a few competitions that show that we are still there. And above all get ready for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
What will these Olympic Games in Paris represent?
Being able to live this in Paris, France, without jet lag, in front of the family… It’s going to be phenomenal. It is a dream that every athlete wants to live.
Would it be a defeat if there is no gold in Paris in 2024?
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Getting on the podium would already be a great source of pride. The career I have achieved is magnificent. I can’t envy anyone. I will go for the gold, but if I come back with a medal other than this metal, I will not be demanding. But I’m a fanatic, a big fanatic and obviously I know what I want.
The big question: at your age, do you still have the love, the pleasure?
That’s exactly it, I always have this love for getting on the mat. That’s why I say: “2024, yes!” but if I like it again, it can go a long way later. How do you know when to stop? Do we have to stop when we like it and we are better? No I dont think so. I will stop when I am disgusted with judo and bored. When I see how I play against the best, it obviously makes me want to continue.
You have been named team captain by Decathlon. What does it mean to choose this equipment provider?
In my speech, the Games are the Games. We are in Paris. So my supplier of material could not be other than Decathlon. All nations show up and present their product. Why wouldn’t we?
How are you going to manage requests as the Games get closer?
You’ll find me intimidating journalists. The Games, I want to succeed. If I have to cut press requests, I will. You do not have to miss It. If you miss it, you exploit yourself. You have to anticipate everything.
Will you be in the Olympic Village suddenly?
I will come for a day or two. And I think I’ll go from home, to the competition. Because I know that the universe of the Games is a spiral. I will sleep at home. All my staff know. With my family, relax. It’s been a long time since I installed it. In Rio it is impossible to sleep. I decide to take a taxi and return to my family’s hotel. When I enter the room, I see my wife and son, I slept like a baby. The next day the car was waiting for me, I became an Olympic champion. The family, the bond, the base, is important. In Paris, I’ll get it going. I would come at first to see but then “Ciao”. And then, if possible, I live the Games!
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