Riner has proved the dominant force in his division in recent years, with an unbeaten run now stretching back to 2010 following his success at last weekend’s International Judo Federation (IJF) European Championships in Kazan.

The Frenchman had missed last year’s European Games in Baku, but his latest triumph means he will head into his third Games holding the continental, world and Olympic titles.

As one of his country’s star sportsmen, Riner is expected to be a strong candidate to carry the French flag into the Opening Ceremony and admits he would relish the honour.

“It is a big dream, it is my third Olympic Games and I want to carry the flag,” he said.

“It will just be one moment in my life and the lives of so many people.

“For me, the Olympic Games and this work is just wonderful.

“My target is the gold medal, second or third place will be a failure, it will be no good for me.”

Athletes are set to vote for their flagbearer following the announcement of the full French delegation on July 14, with National Federations able to nominate one man and one woman.

Rio 2016-bound athletes will have the opportunity to electronically place their vote, with the winner chosen to lead the team out at the Games.

Should Riner be selected, he would be the third French judoka to have the honour, after Angelo Parisi at Los Angeles 1984 and David Douillet at Sydney 2000.

While he hopes lead the French team out at Rio 2016, the record eight-time judo world champion has already taken up a key role in Paris 2024’s bid for the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, as they chair of their 24-strong Athletes’ Commission.

The Commission held their second meeting here in Paris yesterday, where the launch of their mobile application, which will allows athletes to communicate with their bid, was among the topics discussed.

Riner believes the Commission and applications to engage athletes in the bid, as well as receiving feedback on Paris 2024’s current plans, are a sign that the country’s sportsmen and women are at the heart of the bid.

The judoka claims that it is a major difference from the country’s bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, where Paris were eventually beaten by London.

“Certainly for Paris 2024 it is finished for me, but I remember very well [the bid for] 2012,” Riner said.

“It was a big fiesta for the sport, politics and for everyone, the whole country.

“Then when the decision came, I remember my face, the face of my friends and my heart was broken as the decision was difficult.

“Now it is different, Paris 2024 is different, because the sportsmen are the first line and I think this is better for the Candidature.

“I want to win this fight for Paris 2024 as it is good for the future, for the young future champions, and for the people who do not practice sport and it is important for the country.”

Paris is facing competition from Budapest, Los Angeles and Rome for the right to stage the Games.