A brilliant striker, Ginola was voted best French player in the French Championships in 1993/1994 and English football's Player's Player of the Year in 1999.

"It's a great pleasure for me to add my support to France's bid for the 2018 Winter Games, especially in a region I know so well," said the former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur winger.

"Annecy and its surrounding area provide a tremendous playing field for winter sports - the landscape is fabulous and every year I don't miss the opportunity to test my skills on the region's legendary ski runs."

Diagana, the first French World Champion in men's athletics, is a double World Champion, European record holder and eight-time French Champion.

"The Annecy 2018 project is driven by champions, for champions," he said.

"On top of its technical qualities, that's what appealed to me most about the bid.

"It's only right that elite sportsmen and women should have the opportunity to contribute their experience and their passion to major sports-related projects.

"And that's exactly what Edgar Grospiron and all of the champions involved in the bid are seeking to do.

"It's a bold stance, and one which may well tip the balance in favour of the French bid."


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