PARIS (AP) — The stands at Champs de Mars filled up quickly. One fan dressed in a white martial arts uniform waved a French flag. A woman next to him held up a poster with the face of one of the biggest sports stars in France. Crowds of people bounced up and down and shook the floor of the arena where judo is being played in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Many of them were there to see Teddy Riner, the hometown judo icon who delivered once again for France on Friday. He capped his incredible career by becoming the second three-time individual Olympic gold medalist in judo history in one of the most electrifying events of the Paris Games so far. The 35-year-old heavyweight defeated South Korea's Kim Min-jong for the gold in his fifth Olympics.
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Medal winners, from left, Uzbekistan's Alisher Yusupov, Tajikistan's Temur Rakhimov, bronze, France's Teddy Riner, gold, South Korea's Kim Min-jong, silver, pose after the judo men's +100 kg event in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Golden medalist France's Teddy Riner poses after the judo men's +100 kg event in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Medal winners, from left, Uzbekistan's Alisher Yusupov, Tajikistan's Temur Rakhimov, bronze, France's Teddy Riner, gold, South Korea's Kim Min-jong, silver, pose after the judo men's +100 kg event in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Spectators celebrate as they watch from a fan zone set up at the Club France, as France's Teddy Riner defeated South Korea's Kim Min-jong during their men's +100 kg final match in the team judo competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
South Korea's Kim Min-jong and France's Teddy Riner compete during their men's +100 kg final match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
France's Teddy Riner celebrates after defeating South Korea's Kim Min-jong during their men's +100 kg final match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
France's Teddy Riner celebrates after defeating South Korea's Kim Min-jong during their men's +100 kg final match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Fans of France cheer holding banner depicts France's Teddy Riner during men's +100 kg elimination round match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Tajikistan's Temur Rakhimov and France's Teddy Riner compete during their men's +100 kg semifinal match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Fans of France cheer holding banner depicts France's Teddy Riner ahead the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
France's Teddy Riner celebrates after defeating Tajikistan's Temur Rakhimov during their men's +100 kg semifinal match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
France's Teddy Riner celebrates after defeating Tajikistan's Temur Rakhimov during their men's +100 kg semifinal match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
South Korea's Min-Jong Kim and France's Teddy Riner compete during their men's +100 kg final match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
"This day is just incredible, and I hope that more athletes have a perfect day like this at home," Riner said.
He added that he'll need some time to really soak in the moment.
“I don’t think I’ll sleep good (tonight),” he said, “but it’s a dream, a real dream.”
An 11-time world champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist, Riner is one of the most popular and beloved figures in any sport from France.
Riner was France's flag bearer during the opening ceremony and joined retired French track and field sprinter Marie-José Pérec in lighting the cauldron at the end of the night.
Riner is widely considered the greatest judoka the sport has ever seen. He had a 10-year unbeaten streak in which he dominated opponents with his imposing size and athleticism.
Riner had the opportunity to match Olympic history with three gold medals three years ago in Tokyo but that chance evaporated with a surprising loss to Russian Tamerlan Bashaev in the quarterfinals. Riner rallied for a bronze medal and still took home gold in the mixed team event. He turned that moment of disappointment into hope for the future, with his next opportunity only three years away.
Riner said he changed his routine after the Tokyo Games, including traveling to different countries like Brazil to train.
“It's difficult when you have a family,” he said, “but when you win like this today, you understand why.”
With a first-round bye, Riner rolled through the second round and quarterfinals Friday afternoon, setting up a much-anticipated semifinal against Temur Rakhimov of Tajikistan.
He drew the loudest cheers from the crowd at Champs de Mars, which roared when he walked onto the red-and-yellow tatami, and cheered even louder when he finished Rakhimov with an ippon that secured his spot in the final.
“All of these people come for you," Riner said. "You have a big smile, and you take this and you go fight.”
Riner joins a trio of French stars at the home Olympics. Basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama is the leader of the country's men’s basketball team that is hoping to challenge the defending champion United States for gold. Léon Marchand has dominated in the pool with three gold medals.
France, one of the world’s top judo nations, still has the mixed team competition on Saturday, looking for its second straight gold in the event after defeating rival Japan to win its first mixed team tournament in Tokyo.
The French judo team was already off to a hot start. Luka Mkheidze and Shirine Boukli won France’s first two medals of the Paris Olympics last weekend, with Mkheidze claiming silver and Boukli winning bronze.
Riner said he looks forward to potentially competing in the Los Angeles Games in 2028, after taking time to rest.
After another masterful ippon in the final, Riner shook his head in triumph. The crowd chanted his name. He fell to his knees with his arms stretched wide above him, ending the night where he’s been so many times before. On top.
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
Golden medalist France's Teddy Riner poses after the judo men's +100 kg event in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Medal winners, from left, Uzbekistan's Alisher Yusupov, Tajikistan's Temur Rakhimov, bronze, France's Teddy Riner, gold, South Korea's Kim Min-jong, silver, pose after the judo men's +100 kg event in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Spectators celebrate as they watch from a fan zone set up at the Club France, as France's Teddy Riner defeated South Korea's Kim Min-jong during their men's +100 kg final match in the team judo competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
South Korea's Kim Min-jong and France's Teddy Riner compete during their men's +100 kg final match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
France's Teddy Riner celebrates after defeating South Korea's Kim Min-jong during their men's +100 kg final match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
France's Teddy Riner celebrates after defeating South Korea's Kim Min-jong during their men's +100 kg final match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Fans of France cheer holding banner depicts France's Teddy Riner during men's +100 kg elimination round match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Tajikistan's Temur Rakhimov and France's Teddy Riner compete during their men's +100 kg semifinal match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Fans of France cheer holding banner depicts France's Teddy Riner ahead the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
France's Teddy Riner celebrates after defeating Tajikistan's Temur Rakhimov during their men's +100 kg semifinal match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
France's Teddy Riner celebrates after defeating Tajikistan's Temur Rakhimov during their men's +100 kg semifinal match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
South Korea's Min-Jong Kim and France's Teddy Riner compete during their men's +100 kg final match in the team judo competition, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
LONDON (AP) — The sequel to Prince Harry vs. the British tabloids begins Tuesday in a high-stakes trial pitting him against Rupert Murdoch’s newspapers that could cost him millions even if he wins.
Harry, 40, the younger son of King Charles III, and one other claimant remain alone among hundreds who have settled lawsuits against News Group Newspapers, the publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, over a llegations their phones were hacked and investigators unlawfully snooped on their lives.
It will be the first case of its kind to go to trial against the publisher since a widespread phone hacking scandal forced Murdoch to close News of the World in 2011. News Group has settled more than 1,300 other claims.
For the Duke of Sussex, it will be the second trial in London's High Court in his long-running feud with the press that he blames for the death of his mother, Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash while being chased by paparazzi. He also blames them for persistent attacks on his wife, actor Meghan Markle, that led them to leave the royal life and flee to the U.S. in 2020.
Harry has said his mission to hold the media accountable has led to a rift with his family but it's one he feels compelled to carry out to expose wrongdoing.
He won a similar case against the publisher of the Daily Mirror in 2023 and he has another case pending against the Daily Mail's publisher.
Here's a look at the case:
Harry claims News Group journalists and private investigators they hired violated his privacy by using unlawful tactics to dig up dirt on him and his family between 1996 and 2011.
His fellow claimant, Tom Watson, a former deputy leader of the Labour Party, said his voicemails were intercepted during a period when he was investigating the hacking scandal.
Their lawyer said the newspapers had a widespread practice of using deception to obtain medical, phone and flight records, bugged homes and placed listening devices in cars.
They allege that executives concealed the skullduggery through means that included destroying documents.
“This allegation is wrong, unsustainable, and is strongly denied,” News Group said in a statement.
Former executives accused of playing a role include Will Lewis, now CEO of the Washington Post, and Rebekah Brooks, CEO of News UK, a division of News Corp. They have denied wrongdoing.
Brooks was acquitted of phone hacking conspiracy charges in a criminal trial in 2014, though her former colleague, Andy Coulson, who was later spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron, was jailed.
News Group strongly denies the allegations and it said Harry failed to bring his lawsuit within the required six-year limit.
News Group apologized to News of the World phone hacking victims in 2011. The Sun has never accepted liability.
Actor Hugh Grant had been one of Harry's remaining co-claimants, but said he was forced to accept “an enormous sum of money” to settle because he could have faced a legal bill of 10 million pounds ($12.3 million) even if he won at trial.
Under English civil law, a claimant who wins a court judgment that is lower than what they were offered to settle, has to pay the legal bills for both sides. The law is intended to discourage lengthy trials.
Despite the grave financial risk, Harry told The New York Times Dealbook Summit in December that he was not going to fold.
“They’ve settled because they’ve had to settle," he said of other claimants. "One of the main reasons for seeing this through is accountability, because I’m the last person that can actually achieve that.”
The trial, which is expected to last 10 weeks, will put Harry back in the witness box for several days in February.
In 2023, Harry became the first senior member of the royal family to testify in court since the late 19th century, when Queen Victoria’s eldest son, Prince Albert Edward, testified twice.
That has put Harry at odds with a family famous for a “never complain, never explain" attitude.
Harry revealed in court papers that his father opposed his litigation. He also said his older brother William, Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, had received a “huge sum” to settle a complaint against News Group.
Harry said his tabloid war was central to his fallout with his family.
“The mission continues, but it has, yes, it’s caused, as you say, part of a rift,” Harry said in the documentary “Tabloids On Trial.”
Harry said he wished his family had joined him in making a stand against media offenses.
“But, you know, I’m doing this for my reasons,” he said.
News Group has failed to kill the case over the past two years, but Harry has experienced some setbacks in a series of sometimes bruising hearings.
The publisher succeeded in getting Harry's phone hacking claims thrown out because the judge said he should have been aware of the widely publicized scandal and could have brought his lawsuit sooner.
The judge also rejected Harry's effort to broaden the case to include claims of eavesdropping on his mother, unearthing private information on his wife and implicating Murdoch.
Harry alleged Murdoch, who was chief executive of the company that controlled NGN, was part of the effort to conceal evidence of hacking or had “turned a blind eye” to it. The judge said those allegations would add nothing material to claims that include other “trusted lieutenants,” such as Brooks and Murdoch’s younger son, James Murdoch.
The judge also tossed out Harry's bid to include assertions that Buckingham Palace had a secret deal with News Group executives that called for a settlement and an apology to be worked out after other phone hacking litigation was resolved.
Judge Timothy Fancourt said Harry failed to produce witnesses or documents that could show his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, had approved of the deal to protect the royal family from embarrassing litigation.
The publisher denied there was any secret agreement.
FILE - Britain's Prince Harry arrives in the gardens of Buckingham Palace in London, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)