French judo star Teddy Riner announced his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election, entering the race from Paris on Nov. 9, 2026.
The 2027 Presidential Bid
The 37-year-old athlete officially launched his campaign to reach the Élysée Palace, targeting the upcoming French presidential election. Riner wants to become “the president who unites” and described himself as neither on the right nor on the left, defining himself as a figure né di destra né di sinistra
and aiming for a leadership capable of uniting the entire country.
This challenge takes place within a heavily polarized political scenario, dominated on one side by the radical right of Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National and on the other by the radical left of Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Insoumise.
So cosa significa lottare e rialzarsi sempre, mi candido per dimostrare che anche la Francia può rialzarsi,
Riner said, explaining the reasons for his commitment when speaking to the microphones of Le Parisien.
The campaign launch positions the judoka outside traditional political parties in a bid to bridge deep national divisions, choosing to position himself outside traditional parties with the objective of overcoming historical polarization between factions. Riner intends to focus on anti-racism initiatives and pension system reforms affected by demographic shifts.
Collecting 500 Endorsements
To appear on the official ballot, Riner must secure 500 sponsorships from elected local officials under French electoral law. This requirement presents a formidable hurdle for the candidate as he begins grassroots meetings across the country. He plans to build his platform alongside a small group of advisers drawn from civil society, public administration, and politics.
Riner Achieves Multiple Gold Medals and Continues Competing
Born in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, in 1989, Riner moved to the Paris region as a child and grew to a height of 2.03 meters. He claimed his first world title in 2007 at age 18, eventually collecting eleven world titles and seven Olympic medals, including five golds.
He won individual gold medals at the London 2012, Rio 2016, and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, alongside mixed team golds in Tokyo and Paris. He was also one of the symbolic protagonists of the Paris Games, all the way to lighting the Olympic cauldron alongside Marie-José Pérec.
Riner does not plan to retire from competitive sport. He intends to continue training with an eye toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, raising the prospect of balancing presidential duties with athletic competition.
Athletes Turning to Politics
Riner’s transition follows precedents set by other prominent athletes entering public office. Italian canoeist Antonio Rossi won three Olympic golds between Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 before serving as a regional sports official in Lombardy, having first served as sports assessor in Lecco in 2009, then regional assessor in Lombardy starting in 2013, continuing to deal with sport within institutions up to regional assignments linked to sport, the Olympics, and major events.
On an international scale, former AC Milan striker George Weah transitioned from professional soccer to politics, serving as president of Liberia from 2018 to 2024 after winning the Ballon d’Or in 1995. Pakistani cricket legend Imran Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, while former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko became mayor of Kyiv in 2014.
Earlier coverage: Teddy Riner Announces Candidacy for 2027 French Presidential Election
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