Teddy Riner announces French presidential bid, citing fears of division

French judo champion Teddy Riner announced Monday that he would stand in the country’s 2027 presidential election, making a surprise entry into a crowded political contest. The 37-year-old, who has won five Olympic gold medals, used a social media video to declare his candidacy and express concern about growing divisions in France.

Riner, who comes from the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe, appeared to position himself as an alternative for voters reluctant to support either the far right or the far left. He has publicly voiced alarm about the far right’s growing strength and said he feared that people who currently live alongside each other could increasingly find themselves in confrontation.

Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen leads polling in the race to succeed centrist President Emmanuel Macron, with hard-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon in second place. A fractured political landscape and competition among numerous candidates have helped Le Pen, while disputes within the centrist camp have made a runoff between her and Melenchon more likely.

Against a backdrop of recent violent riots, Riner raised concerns about public debt, pressure on household shopping budgets and what he described as a loss of state authority in dealing with disorder. He also criticized bureaucracy and unequal opportunities. Riner, who is Black, said young people’s prospects could be damaged by their lack of connections, their name or their skin color. Drawing on his sporting experience, he presented perseverance and a willingness to fight as central to his decision to run.

Riner acknowledged that critics would question his lack of political experience and familiarity with the establishment. Macron nevertheless welcomed his candidacy, saying the champion’s participation, ideas and convictions could benefit the presidential debate and the country.

Analysts were more skeptical about his electoral prospects. Dani Podgoretskaya of Eurasia Group said Riner had identified issues that concerned voters, but she did not regard him as a serious contender. She pointed to his lack of elected experience, a political party and a detailed program. Erwan Lestrohan of polling firm Odoxa similarly cautioned that sporting popularity would not automatically become votes, particularly when Riner had yet to establish political credibility.

Riner told Le Parisien that he planned to begin campaigning quickly, using donations and his own money. He also intended to remain an active athlete. If elected, he said he hoped to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, provided his presidential responsibilities and the French public allowed it.

His sporting record includes Olympic heavyweight gold medals in 2012, 2016 and 2024, bronze medals in 2008 and 2020, and mixed team gold medals in 2020 and 2024. He has also claimed 11 world titles. Between October 2010 and February 2020, Riner won 154 consecutive bouts. He has recorded only two defeats since 2010 and currently holds a 46-match winning streak.