Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner announces bid for French presidency

French judo champion Teddy Riner announced on Monday, November 9, that he will run in the 2027 presidential election, launching an unexpected bid for the Élysée after a career at the pinnacle of international sport.

Riner unveiled his candidacy in an interview with Le Parisien and a video shared on social media, saying France’s economic and social difficulties had convinced him to enter politics.

“Resignation is not an option,” he wrote on X, calling for people to take responsibility in the face of the country’s challenges.

The 37-year-old described himself as neither right-wing nor left-wing and said he wanted to reconcile a divided country. He pointed to pressure on household budgets, public debt and growing uncertainty about the future as reasons for his decision.

Running under the slogan “The France We Want,” Riner launched a campaign website and invited supporters to join him. He said he had already assembled a team and intended to see his candidacy through.

In his interview with Le Parisien, the Olympic champion said he wanted to demonstrate that France could recover and that its people could achieve more together. His opening message emphasized national unity and the need to offer an answer to public frustration.

A three-time individual Olympic champion, Riner has never held political office. He acknowledged that his lack of political experience would attract scrutiny, anticipating questions about whether someone from outside the political establishment could lead the country.

Riner said he first considered a presidential bid during the Paris Olympics in 2024 and decided to proceed this autumn, citing public anger, anxiety and a sense that those concerns were going unanswered.

His political ambitions may not bring his sporting career to an immediate close. Riner has left open the possibility of competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, depending on his responsibilities and the wishes of the French public.

Before securing a place on the presidential ballot, he must obtain the required 500 endorsements from elected officials. His announcement begins the task of turning sporting fame into political support.