French judo superstar Teddy Riner has officially announced his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, marking a dramatic entry into the country’s political arena. The five-time Olympic gold medalist and multiple world champion posted a video message on social media declaring his run, framing himself as a political outsider determined to represent ordinary citizens who he believes have been abandoned by the establishment.
Riner’s Campaign Launch and Political Context
In the video, Riner sat at a desk with a French tricolor flag and bookshelves in the background, addressing the camera directly. “My name is Teddy Riner, and today I’m telling you straight to your face: I am a candidate in the 2027 presidential election,” he said. He acknowledged that his lack of political experience would be a point of criticism, noting that people might call him crazy or claim he does not know the rules. He countered this by asking what is truly crazy in the current climate, citing a system he described as unfair to working people.
Riner painted a bleak picture of France’s current state, pointing to growing public debt, economic hardship, and a breakdown of law and order. He criticized what he called the hypocrisy of a system where those who work hard and follow the rules are forced to pay for everyone else. “La résignation n’est pas une option,” he wrote in the accompanying post, which translated to “Resignation is not an option.” He added that the time has come to take responsibility for the difficulties facing the country.
The announcement comes at a volatile moment for French politics. The country is facing deep divisions just five months before the presidential election. The far-right Rassemblement National party is currently dominating the polls, with leader Marine Le Pen drawing between 33% and 37% of first-round voting intentions in recent surveys. This support is roughly double that of her closest rivals. Meanwhile, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who leads the radical-left party La France Insoumise, has been gaining ground, polling at around 17% to 19%. The political center remains fragmented, with no clear candidate emerging to succeed President Emmanuel Macron, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term.
Macron’s Support for the Athlete’s Entry
President Emmanuel Macron reacted warmly to Riner’s announcement. In an interview with the French broadcaster France 5, Macron welcomed the athlete’s decision to enter politics and praised his sense of duty. “Teddy Riner is a tremendous athlete who makes our country proud,” Macron said. He noted that he had supported Riner in competitions and as an athlete, describing him as a committed man.
Macron applauded the prospect of citizens from outside the political establishment taking part in the national debate. He alluded to his own path into politics, which began a decade ago after a career in investment banking at Rothschild. “Political life, the life of the nation, does not belong to professionals,” Macron said. He continued, “The life of the nation belongs to women and men who want to give their time, who are ready to commit themselves and fight difficult battles to make our country better. I am very happy that someone like Teddy Riner, who is a great champion, has decided to take part in this presidential debate and bring his convictions, his ideas and his talent.”p>
Riner’s entry adds a new dynamic to a race already characterized by mass protests over the soaring cost of living and violent riots in schools. His status as one of France’s most recognizable sporting figures provides a unique platform for a campaign that has yet to detail specific policy proposals beyond his critique of the current economic and social order.
Source: Variety
