Teddy Riner, the 37-year-old multiple Olympic judo champion, has officially declared his intention to run for the presidency of France. The announcement was made by the athlete on social media on Monday. Riner, who is frequently cited in polls as one of the most popular public figures in the country, described his political stance as liberal and positioned himself as a candidate who is neither right-wing nor left-wing. He expressed a desire to serve as a president who brings people together.
The French presidential election is scheduled for next year, and the political landscape is currently marked by a tense social climate. For several weeks, large protest marches have taken place in Paris and other parts of France. Demonstrators have been demanding higher wages and expressing support for the student protest movement, which has placed additional pressure on the government. Riner stated that he is fully aware of these social tensions and is troubled by the fact that both young people and older generations are struggling to envision a positive future for themselves.
In an interview with the Le Parisien newspaper, Riner addressed questions about the seriousness of his bid. He argued that remaining silent while observing the current state of the country would be irresponsible. He noted that he hears anger in the public rhetoric, often driven by negativity from individuals who have lost their ambition. Riner emphasized that France is a great country that has allowed him to dream big, and he believes the nation currently lacks that collective hope and drive.
Despite his political ambitions, Riner has not abandoned his athletic goals. In September, he stated his wish to conclude his career with a fourth individual Olympic gold medal at the Los Angeles Games in 2028. When asked if his presidential run meant he was giving up on the Olympics, the 2.04-meter heavyweight explained that he would continue competing if his duties as president allowed it and if the French people supported him. He is currently an 11-time world champion in judo.
Riner’s entry into politics follows a period in which he faced online racial abuse after expressing concerns about the rise of the far right. In a recent interview with the French sports television show Stade 2, he described feeling unsettled by the growth of extremism, specifically identifying the far right as the primary concern. According to opinion polls, the nationalist leader Marine Le Pen is currently the front-runner to replace President Emmanuel Macron. She is followed by hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, with other candidates including two former prime ministers, representatives from the moderate left and right, the Green party, and conservatives.
Riner believes the country is experiencing deep divisions and criticized current candidates for failing to offer a credible vision that unites rather than divides the population. He stated that he sees no one offering genuine hope, noting that the political conversation is often framed as a struggle between opposing sides. His goal is to demonstrate that France can recover and achieve great things through collective effort. To formally stand for election, he must gather 500 sponsorship signatures from elected officials as required by French law.
On the international stage, Riner said his first priority would be to ensure France works effectively with its allies and commands greater respect globally. He humorously remarked that many people have been joking about his first handshake with Donald Trump. He added with a laugh that it would be interesting to see who has the firmer grip, a nod to his stature as a heavyweight athlete.
