Olympic judo champ Teddy Riner enters French presidential race
The five-time gold medalist announced his bid on social media, positioning himself against Le Pen and Mélenchon while facing scrutiny over taxes and his 2028 Olympic goals.
By Ethan Cooper ·
French judoka Teddy Riner announced on Tuesday that he will seek the presidency in next year's election. The five-time Olympic champion made the declaration on social media and provided details in an exclusive interview with Aujourd'hui en France - Le Parisien. He stated that the idea for a run has been developing since the Paris Olympics.
Riner is presenting himself as a third option between Marine Le Pen on the far right and Jean-Luc Mélenchon on the hard left. The Paris Olympics saw Riner secure another gold medal, cementing his status as a national hero. He now intends to translate that public support into a political mandate.
Le Parisien noted that Riner has much to risk with this move. The outlet warned that he could lose sponsorships, public favor, and his chance to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Critics are already pointing to his recent tax disputes. They also question his past reluctance to encourage vaccination in Guadeloupe, the French overseas territory where he is from.
Le Temps argued that President Emmanuel Macron bears responsibility for the current political vacuum. The analysis claimed Macron siphoned support from mainstream parties over ten years, leaving only extremist options for voters. However, the paper remained skeptical of Riner's chances. It noted that candidates need 500 signatures to qualify. History suggests many such candidates eventually trade their support for a ministerial post.
La Charente Libre offered a different perspective on the bid. The local paper described Riner's candidacy as a symptom of France's political malaise. It acknowledged his respect but viewed the entry as a reflection of the current state of the nation rather than a traditional political strategy.
In a related domestic matter, a new government directive requires French primary, middle, and high schools to hold Armistice Day ceremonies. This marks the first year for such an annual commemoration in schools. Teachers' unions have criticized the mandate. They argue it promotes military culture and allows for political use. Historians in La Croix are divided, with some saying it transmits historical memory and others calling it redundant given existing curriculum on the World Wars.
In the United Kingdom, comedian Russell Brand received a prison sentence of over 10 years. A jury found him guilty of rape and sexual assault after six women testified against him over the past month. His career included roles as a stand-up comic, MTV host, and political analyst. Le Monde compared his case to the Harvey Weinstein trial, noting that both involved a culture of silence broken by press reports and a wave of accusations.
