Paris hosted yet another successful international competition as judo’s Paris Grand Slam 2017 came to an exciting end last night. The world’s top judokas from 61 countries performed in front of a packed crowd and an electric atmosphere for the first major event of the year.
The AccorHotels Arena, a Paris 2024 venue, was packed full of enthusiastic fans for the season-opening event. The Grand Slam is further proof of the city’s exceptional track-record of hosting world-class sports events.
The tournament is one of four grand slam events on the International Judo Federation’s annual calendar. Organised by the French Judo Federation, it was awarded Grand Slam status in 2009 and continues to enjoy huge success with both local and international fans and athletes, including Rio 2016 stars Rafael Silva (Brazil), Audrey Tcheuméo (France), Cheng Xunzhao (China) and Majlinda Kelmendi (Kosovo). Judo’s rising stars and Generation 2024 athletes taking part also got a chance to test their skills ahead of next year’s Judo World Championships.
Though not competing due to an injury, double Olympic gold medallist, eight-time World Champion and Chair of the Paris 2024 Athletes’ Committee Teddy Riner led an audience of thousands into enthusiastic cheering as he took to the tatami to talk about Paris 2024.
The Paris 2024 Bid Committee used the tournament to promote its campaign for the candidature of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games: the Paris Grand Slam was the first international event to sport Paris 2024 branding. The event is the latest in a string of major successful meetings hosted at the AccorHotels Arena (to be Paris Arena 1 in 2024), which include last year’s ATP World Tour Paris Masters and last month’s Handball World Championships. In 2024, the venue, whose namesake Accor Hotels is an also official partner of Paris 2024, is set to host Basketball, Judo and Wheelchair Basketball.
Further upcoming iconic sporting events being held in Paris and around France this year include:
· 2017 Paris Marathon
· IIHF Men’s Ice hockey World Championships
· Roland Garros
· Tour de France
Paris 2024 Co-Chair Tony Estanguet, said:
"It was fantastic to be part of the festival atmosphere this weekend to witness the incredible judo talent on display. AccorHotels Arena has once again proven its reputation as a world-class venue and an exceptional host by welcoming over 23,000 fans and athletes to celebrate this exciting Olympic sport.
"International tournaments such as this provide a real taste of the passion and excitement the French sporting public will bring to the Olympic and Paralympic Games should we be chosen as Host City in Lima in September. We can’t wait to share this passion with the world in 2024."
Double Olympic champion and president of the Paris 2024 Athletes’ Committee Teddy Riner, said:
"While I was saddened not to be able to compete this weekend, it was an absolute pleasure to witness the Paris Grand Slam from the perspective of the fans and be part of the passion and purpose that continues to propel French sport onto the world stage. The tournament truly is something special; it is loved by athletes from all over the world, who greatly appreciate the exceptional hosting skills that Paris and the Parisian public offer."
For more information, please contact:
Raphaël Leclerc
Paris 2024 Bid Committee
Email: rleclerc@paris2024.org
Phone: +33 6 73 16 88 06
Sujit Jasani
VERO Communications
Email: sjasani@verocom.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)207 812 6589 / +44 (0)7940 375 282
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