Olympic Judo Champion Teddy Riner Announces Run for French Presidency

Teddy Riner, the five-time Olympic judo gold medalist, announced on November 9 that he will run in the upcoming French presidential election.

The 37-year-old athlete confirmed his candidacy through a video posted to the social media platform X and in an interview with the French newspaper Le Parisien, according to reports from Global Times.

Riner, who served as a final torchbearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics and secured gold in the men’s +100kg category, stated that his decision to enter politics is rooted in his athletic background. “Fighting has always been a part of me,” Riner said in his video announcement.

“I know what it means to struggle, to fall, and how to get back up again. France does not need professional politicians who only know how to recite talking points and argue all day.”

Ambitions for the French state

In his interview with Le Parisien, Riner framed his candidacy as a response to a perceived decline in national spirit. “France is a great country. It made me who I am today and gave me the opportunity to dream big,” he said. “Today, those things are missing. That ambition is gone, and hope has faded with it.”

The announcement arrives at a volatile moment for French politics. While Riner lacks formal political experience, his status as one of the country’s most popular athletes could disrupt current political campaigns. Reports indicate that moderate candidates face challenges as far-right leader Marine Le Pen and far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon erode their support.

Athletic career and future plans

Riner stated that his political aspirations will not mark the immediate end of his judo career. He suggested that if his presidential duties allowed and the French public approved, he might attempt to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games while serving as president.

Regarding potential future diplomatic interactions, specifically with U.S. President Donald Trump, Riner remarked on the prospect of a first meeting. “Many people around me have told me about the first time they shook hands with Trump,” Riner said. “When the time comes, we will see who has the stronger grip.”

Context of the 2024 Olympic success

Riner’s entry into the national spotlight follows a historic performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Beyond his individual gold medal in the men’s over-100kg division, he played a central role in the mixed team final, helping the French squad secure the top spot on the podium.

He was also selected as one of the final torchbearers for the opening ceremony, where he lit the Olympic cauldron alongside Marie-José Pérec.

Riner intends to continue judo career while running for president

No, Riner has stated that he does not intend to end his judo career and has expressed interest in attempting to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics while serving as president, should the public support his candidacy.

Riner told Le Parisien that he believes France has lost its sense of ambition and hope, and he explicitly stated that the country needs an alternative to the “professional politicians” he claims are currently bogged down by repetitive rhetoric and constant infighting.

While he has no prior political record, his high profile as a national sports icon is expected to potentially complicate the current electoral field, which is currently dominated by established figures from the far-right and far-left ends of the political spectrum.

Earlier coverage: Judo Champion Teddy Riner Announces Candidacy for French Presidency

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