Q: What does this victory in Paris mean to you after your injury and 18 months from the Paris-2024 Games?
A: "It's nice! Going back to this Paris Tournament was important in the preparation (for the Olympics). Even with 70% of my abilities, I'm happy. I didn't show extraordinary judo. But that's part of the preparation. With the injury I had, it was not easy to come back. I'm happy today to have succeeded for my staff and my family, for all the people who are came, to have gone until this final to seek the gold medal.
Q: Are you leaving this tournament with more certainty?
A: "Very little! Very little, but hey, I'm putting everything into training, I'm putting everything into the work we're going to do after this tournament. Of course, I've unlocked points, but we're still very far away. at my best level. I'm still very far from the level that I had before the injury. But you have to stay positive. There's still a year and a half left and I'm ready to work. (The ankle) didn't help me. annoyed, we will continue to work with the staff. Prevention, at my age (Riner is 33, editor's note), is important and we will continue training."
Q: Did meeting the French public allow you to take the temperature of the atmosphere that there will be at the Olympics?
A: "It makes you want to, it makes you think because it's going to happen quickly, casually. But suddenly, we know what to expect. Putting pressure on yourself at home. Not slipping. It was important to get on this tournament a year and a half before the Games."
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