Judo Champion Enters French Race: Teddy Riner Announces Bid for Presidency

Teddy Riner, a five-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, has officially announced his intention to run for president of France. The decision places the 37-year-old athlete into a crowded field of candidates ahead of the April and May ballot scheduled to replace Emmanuel Macron.

Riner described himself as neither left-wing nor right-wing in a video posted on social media on Monday. He said he would seek to bring people together and inject common sense, steadfastness, and justice into the government.

He acknowledged the skepticism surrounding his candidacy. In the video, Riner said, “I know what people are going to say about me: ‘He’s crazy. He’s not from the establishment. He doesn’t have the codes. He’s never done politics.’” He added that if refusing to bow his head or accept chaos makes him crazy, then he is completely crazy.

The announcement comes six weeks after Riner faced a wave of racist abuse online. The harassment followed his comments on a TV sports show where he expressed anxiety about the rise of the far right in France. He also cited ongoing protests over the cost of living and school conditions as motivating factors for his run.

Riner listed several key issues facing the country. These include soaring national debt, rising grocery prices, and the precarious futures of individuals who lack the right network, family name, or skin color.

In an interview with the newspaper Le Parisien published on Monday, Riner argued that the current political landscape lacks a credible vision for unity. He stated, “The country is experiencing deep divisions right now, let’s not kid ourselves.” He claimed that no other candidate is offering a sincere hope to bring French people together rather than dividing them.

Under French law, Riner must gather 500 sponsorship signatures from elected officials to secure his place on the ballot. He said his motivation comes from hearing anger from young and old citizens who struggle to envision a future for themselves. He noted that France is a great country that allowed him to dream big, but that ambition and hope are now missing.

Riner said he hopes to balance his political duties with his athletic career if elected. He plans to remain in competition for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He drew a parallel to his sport, stating, “Fighting has always been part of me. I know what it’s like to fight, fall and always get up.”

Analysts view his chances cautiously. Dani Podgoretskaya, an analyst at Eurasia Group, told Agence France-Presse that Riner has little chance of being seen as a serious contender. She cited his lack of experience in elected office, absence of party backing, and lack of a detailed program. She noted, “I doubt that Riner is that figure.”

Riner is not the first judoka to enter French politics. David Douillet was elected to the French parliament in 2009 after retiring from the sport. Douillet later served as the sports minister from September 2011 to May 2012. When asked about his priorities on the world stage, Riner joked about meeting the US president. He said, “We’ll see who has the firmer handshake.”