Judo champion Teddy Riner enters France's 2027 presidential race
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 11:42 · Archive
Olympic judo gold medallist Teddy Riner has announced he is running in France's 2027 presidential election.
Five-time Olympic gold medallist Teddy Riner announced on Monday that he will run in France's 2027 presidential election. The 37-year-old judoka made the announcement on social media and told French daily Le Parisien that he wants to 'show that we can turn France around'. Riner won Olympic gold medals in the heavyweight judo division at the 2012, 2016 and 2024 Olympics, and mixed team golds at the 2020 and 2024 Games. He lit the Olympic cauldron at the Paris 2024 opening ceremony.
Riner said he does not position himself as a candidate of either the left or right, but is instead running to address what he described as a rising sense of dread and resignation among French people. 'France is a great country. It has allowed me to become the person I am today and has given me the opportunity to dream big. Today, that's what's missing. That ambition is gone; that hope is gone,' he told Le Parisien. He has publicly stated he is very worried about the 'rise of the far right' in France.
Riner enters the race with no political experience but is among France's best-known sports figures. The race is crowded, with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen currently leading in polls to replace centrist President Emmanuel Macron. Another French judoka, David Douillet, was elected to parliament in 2009 and served as sports minister briefly in 2011-2012.
How it is being reported
- Three-time Olympic judo champion announces bid for French presidencyFormer world champion Teddy Riner has announced his intention to run for presidentIndependent Sport · 9 Nov, 11:55
- French Olympic legend Teddy Riner announces presidential bidThe gold medal-winning judoka wants to "show that we can turn France around."Politico Europe · 9 Nov, 11:09
- 🔴 Judo star Teddy Riner announces bid for French presidencyFrance 24 · 9 Nov, 10:50
In this story: Teddy Riner · Emmanuel Macron · Marine Le Pen · David Douillet · France
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