French judo champion Teddy Riner launched a surprise bid for the Elysée Palace, disrupting a political race previously dominated by the far right and the radical left.
Teddy Riner, 37, announced his presidential ambition on Monday through a video published on social media, Le Soir reported. The three-minute video quickly surpassed 27 million views.
International observers initially viewed the announcement as a joke, according to El País. However, the multi-Olympic gold medalist quickly secured unexpected support from several political figures and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Spanish daily noted.
In his announcement video, the judoka stated he belongs to neither the left nor the right. Yet, Le Soir reported that his policy promises on restoring state authority, merit, and work align him with the right.
“On aurait dit une blague, une de plus, dans cette pré-campagne inondée de personnages politiques à qui, pour l’instant, il ne coûte pas grand-chose de s’autoproclamer candidat. Mais Riner est très sérieux. Et il a rapidement reçu le soutien inespéré de plusieurs candidats, et du président de la République, Emmanuel Macron, lui-même,” El País said.
Some critics suggested the campaign was directed by the Elysée Palace due to early backing from Macron’s camp, Le Soir reported. El País described the heavyweight athlete as projecting an image of security, noting his physical stature of 2.04 meters and 145 kilograms.
Riner joins a historical line of athletes moving into politics, noted Le Temps, pointing to figures like Vladimir Putin and former French Sports Minister David Douillet. Sergei Aschwanden, a former Swiss cantonal lawmaker and judoka, told Le Temps that the discipline of judo prepares athletes for political strife.
“Notre sport nous apprend à affronter des challenges, à nous batailler de manière acharnée mais dans un cadre strict, régi par un code moral. Le bon judoka, parce qu’il sait tomber, peut se relever, et c’est quelque chose d’essentiel en politique,” Aschwanden said, as reported by Le Temps.
An Ifop poll measured Riner’s initial electoral potential at 22 percent, according to Le Soir. Political scientist Blanche Leridon of the Institut Montaigne told Le Soir that the surge reflects distress within the center-right seeking a savior figure.
The New York Times analyzed that Riner could draw support across a broad spectrum, including the center, the right, the Socialist Party, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s radical left. Le Parisien reported recent polling showing a potential presidential runoff between Marine Le Pen, projected at 34 to 36 percent, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, projected at 18 to 19 percent.
Related reading
