Five-time Olympic champion Teddy Riner announces bid for French presidency

Teddy Riner, one of France’s most successful judoka, has announced his intention to run for president less than six months before the election scheduled for next spring.

The 37-year-old, who has won five Olympic gold medals, said he did not identify with either the political right or left. Instead, he intends to present himself as a unity candidate seeking to bring the two sides closer together.

Riner made the announcement in an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien. He also published a video on X explaining why he had decided to enter politics.

“France does not need a professional politician who lectures people and argues all day,” he said. “It needs common sense, kindness and a state that puts things back in order.”

Riner acknowledged that his lack of political experience and established political connections could lead some people to question his candidacy.

“I expect some people to call it madness, given that I have no previous political career or strong political relationships,” he said. “But if refusing to give in to pressure and refusing to accept chaos makes me mad, then yes, I am completely mad.”

He added: “I will not be one of those who stand by and watch the country burn while looking for excuses. I have not spent my life behind a desk; the fight has always been part of who I am. I know what it means to struggle, to fall and to get back up again, time after time.”

Despite his presidential ambitions, Riner said he had no plans to retire from judo. He hopes to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, if the public allows him to do so.

The French presidential race is currently led in polling by Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally. She was backed by 36% of respondents in a poll conducted by IFOP for LCI between 27 and 29 October.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the hard-left La France Insoumise, was second in the same survey, with 17.6% of voting intentions.

Riner has won seven Olympic medals in total: five golds and two bronzes. Three of his gold medals came in individual events, while two were won in team competitions. His two bronze medals were both achieved individually.

He has also collected 11 gold medals at the World Championships during his career.