Sports Figures Face Mixed Results in French Municipal Elections

From the playing fields to the political arena, the line can sometimes blur. A number of personalities from the world of sport, with varying degrees of public recognition, presented themselves in the 2026 municipal elections, with the first round taking place on Sunday. The results have been a mixed bag, showcasing the challenges of translating athletic fame into political success.

Rugby Legend Blanco Leads in Biarritz, Faces Runoff

Former France rugby international Serge Blanco is making a surprisingly strong showing in his bid to become mayor of Biarritz. The celebrated fullback topped the first round of voting, edging out incumbent LR (Les Républicains) mayor Maider Arosteguy by a mere twelve votes. Blanco’s entry into politics marks a recent chapter for the rugby icon, and the close result sets the stage for a potentially tight runoff election on March 22nd.

“This is a step, we need to finish first next Sunday,” Blanco stated after the results were announced. “We’ll see if we can form alliances, see how we can still acquire more votes, either staying alone or merging with others.”

Micoud Remains in the Race in Bordeaux

Further north in Bordeaux, former footballer Johan Micoud is experiencing the tension of election night firsthand. Positioned 7th on the list led by economist Philippe Dessertine, the former French champion with Girondins de Bordeaux remains in contention for a seat on the city council. Dessertine’s list secured third place with 20.16% of the vote, trailing incumbent ecologist Pierre Hurmic (27.68%) and former Macron minister Thomas Cazenave (25.58%). Former tennis player Michaël Llodra also appeared on Hurmic’s list.

Latour Secures Council Seat in Sayat

In the Puy-de-Dôme department, professional footballer Johan Gastien, a key player for Clermont Foot since 2018, has been elected to the municipal council of Sayat. Gastien’s success came alongside a decisive victory (67.49% of the vote) for Sébastien Besnard, an independent candidate. This win could potentially accelerate the midfielder’s retirement from professional football, having already made 106 appearances in Ligue 1.

Aulas Narrowly Misses Out in Lyon

The race for the mayorship of Lyon proved particularly dramatic. Former Olympique Lyonnais (OL) president Jean-Michel Aulas, who received support from numerous former OL players including Karim Benzema, ultimately finished just behind incumbent ecologist Grégory Doucet. Doucet secured 37.36% of the vote, compared to Aulas’ 36.78%, a difference of less than 1,200 votes. The close contest suggests a fiercely contested runoff election is on the horizon.

Martinod Advances to Runoff in Aime-la-Plagne

Double Olympic silver medalist in freestyle skiing, Marie Martinod (2014 and 2018), is also making waves in local politics. As the lead candidate in Aime-la-Plagne (Savoie), Martinod secured a place in the second round, earning 24.06% of the vote. She will face David Aubonnet, who led with 38.23%.

Latour Leads in Romans-sur-Isère

Recently retired professional cyclist Pierre Latour is also experiencing electoral success. Serving as the 6th candidate on Marie-Hélène Thoraval’s list in Romans-sur-Isère (Drôme), Latour’s team secured a leading 48.49% of the vote in the first round.

Girault Faces Disappointment in Vaires-sur-Marne

However, not all sporting figures enjoyed success at the polls. Olympic handball champion Olivier Girault faced a disappointing outcome in Vaires-sur-Marne (Seine-et-Marne). Despite an ongoing preliminary investigation regarding allegations of favoritism, abuse of confidence, and harassment stemming from his time leading the national school sports union (UNSS), Girault garnered only 6.40% of the vote, finishing last and failing to qualify for the second round.

Minister of Sports Defeated in Local Election

In a surprising turn of events, Minister of Sports Marina Ferrari was defeated in her bid for a mayoral position. She lost to incumbent LR mayor Renaud Beretti, who was overwhelmingly re-elected with over 56% of the vote. Despite the defeat, Ferrari’s MoDem party secured four seats on the municipal council, demonstrating continued political influence.

The first round of these municipal elections demonstrates a clear appetite for sporting figures to enter the political arena, but also highlights the challenges of translating popularity on the field to success at the ballot box. The second round on March 22nd will be crucial in determining the final composition of many French municipal councils.

What’s Next: The second round of municipal elections will seize place on March 22nd, where voters will decide the final composition of many French municipal councils. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates and analysis.