With the vote a little over two months away, on July 6 in Durban, leading ambassadors and athletes are revealing why they are supporting the bid.

Riner, who has won four World Championship titles, said: "I'm supporting the Annecy 2018 bid because, whether it's the Summer or Winter Games, hosting them in your own country is always a rare and exceptional event.

"It's not only a great occasion for the athletes, but for the population as a whole.

"When I was preparing for the 2011 European Championships I trained at Les Menuires in Savoie, for a few days I was lucky enough to observe the passion that everybody there has for winter sports, but also, in view of the welcome we were given, the way they appreciate any top level athletes."

Munich and Pyeongchang are also bidding. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
October 2010: Judo hero Riner throws weight behind French 2018 Olympics bid