Judo Olympian Teddy Riner announces bid for French presidency

Teddy Riner, the five-time Olympic judo champion, announced on Monday that he will run for president of France in 2027. The 37-year-old athlete made the declaration in a video posted to social media, where he stated, “My name is Teddy Riner and today, I am telling you face to face: I am a candidate in the 2027 presidential election.”

Riner, who hails from the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe, positioned himself as a choice for voters torn between the political extremes. He expressed fear that France is becoming deeply divided, warning that the country risks moving from coexistence to confrontation. “Today we live alongside one another,” Riner said. “I fear that tomorrow we’ll be living in confrontation.” He specifically cited the rise of the far right as a source of concern, a movement currently led by Marine Le Pen in the polls.

The candidate pointed to economic and social pressures as key issues. He described France as “collapsing under the weight of debt” and expressed distress over parents struggling with the cost of living. Riner also criticized the state’s response to recent violent riots, claiming that “state authority has disappeared” in the face of “thugs.” He further argued that excessive bureaucracy and systemic biases often determine a young person’s success based on their network, name, or skin color.

Acknowledging his lack of political background, Riner addressed potential skepticism about his candidacy. He noted that critics would point out he is not from the establishment and has never held elected office. “If refusing to bow my head and refusing chaos makes me crazy, then yes, I’m completely crazy,” he said. Riner pledged to launch his campaign quickly, funding it through donations and his personal resources.

President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the former champion’s entry into the race. The centrist leader said he was pleased that the “great champion” would join the debate and contribute his ideas, adding that this “can only benefit the country.” However, political analysts remain cautious. Dani Podgoretskaya of Eurasia Group stated that while Riner addresses the right pain points, she does not view him as a serious contender. She noted that the office holds immense power in France, and Riner currently lacks a party, a detailed program, and experience in elected office.

Erwan Lestrohan of polling firm Odoxa observed that no candidate is currently generating broad enthusiasm among voters. Lestrohan added that Riner’s popularity in sports does not guarantee electoral support, noting that the athlete is “starting from zero in terms of political credibility.” Riner said in an interview with Le Parisien that he intends to continue his athletic career. If elected, he plans to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, provided his duties and the French public allow it.

Riner has a dominant record in his sport, having won gold in the heavyweight division at the 2012, 2016, and 2024 Olympics. He also secured bronze medals in 2008 and 2020, along with mixed team gold in 2020 and 2024. He holds 11 world titles and went nearly a decade without a loss, winning 154 consecutive bouts between October 2010 and February 2020. He is currently on a 46-match winning streak.

The 2027 election will determine the successor to President Macron. Marine Le Pen currently leads the polls, with Jean-Luc Melenchon in second place. The crowded field has led to infighting among centrist parties, increasing the likelihood of a runoff between Le Pen and Melenchon.