“My name is Teddy Riner and today I am telling you face-to-face: I am a candidate in the 2027 presidential election,” the five-time Olympic judo champion announced in a video message.
France’s most decorated judoka launched his unexpected political bid on social media, pointing to mounting concerns over the rising far-right movement.
The 37-year-old athlete warned in a two-minute and thirty-seven-second video that France risks deep societal division. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen currently leads national polls to succeed centrist President Emmanuel Macron, while radical-left figure Jean-Luc Mélenchon holds second place in early polling figures.
“Today we live side by side,” Riner said in his announcement. “I fear that tomorrow we will live in opposition.”
Riner highlighted economic strain and public safety in his campaign introduction. He noted that he is troubled seeing parents struggle at supermarket checkouts and argued that state authority has vanished when confronting street disorder.
“I have always fought, it is part of who I am,” Riner stated, addressing voters who might question his lack of political background. “If refusing to bow your head and refusing chaos makes me crazy, then yes, I am completely crazy.”
France's five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner announced on Monday that he would run in the country's high-stakes presidential election next year. "My name is Teddy Riner and today, I am telling you face to face: I am a candidate in the 2027 presidential election," the… pic.twitter.com/oSXEj0nHAa
Dani Podgoretskaya, an analyst with Eurasia Group, noted that Riner addressed widespread public frustrations but lacked executive experience, an organized political party, or a detailed policy platform.
“The French take presidential elections very seriously, given the amount of power the office holds,” Podgoretskaya said, adding that she doubted Riner would emerge as a unifying anti-populist figure.
Erwan Lestrohan of the Odoxa polling firm observed that while voter enthusiasm remains low across the political spectrum, high celebrity recognition does not automatically convert into ballot support.
“He starts from zero in terms of political credibility,” Lestrohan said.
Riner intends to self-fund his initial campaign efforts through personal finances and public donations while maintaining his athletic career. In an interview with Le Parisien, the heavyweight champion confirmed his intention to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles should his political duties and the French public permit it.
Riner earned individual gold medals in the heavyweight division at the 2012, 2016, and 2024 Olympic Games, alongside mixed team gold medals in 2020 and 2024, supported by 11 world championship titles.
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