Teddy Riner launches 2027 French presidential bid as "neither right nor left"
French judo champion Teddy Riner, a triple individual Olympic gold medalist and eleven-time world champion, announced on Monday, November 9, 2026, that he is running in France's April 2027 presidential election. In a nearly three-minute social media video and an interview with Le Parisien, the 37-year-old said he wants to "lift up France," described himself as "neither right nor left," and positioned his bid against the extremes of Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon. He cited social anger and the rise of the far right as motivations, outlined early themes including anti-racism and pension reform, and said he has assembled a core team of about twenty people. His candidacy adds to roughly thirty declared or potential contenders, and he faces scrutiny over a tax-evasion conviction tied to his luxury car rental business.
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Macron Welcomes Teddy Riner's 2027 Presidential Bid, Drawing Parallels to His Own Campaign
French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed enthusiasm for judoka Teddy Riner's announced candidacy in the 2027 presidential election, according to Le Monde. Macron, who was informed in advance of the bid, said he was 'very happy' about the decision of the 'great champion' and suggested the athlete could 'bring something to the country.' The president drew parallels between Riner's anti-establishment positioning and his own 2016 'antisystem' campaign, noting that 'the life of the nation does not belong to professionals.' Riner, in a social media video announcing his candidacy, stated that 'France does not need a professional politician' and emphasized he is 'not from the establishment.' Notably, Macron has not similarly supported his former prime ministers Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal. The article is partially paywalled, with the remainder reserved for subscribers.
Judoka Teddy Riner Announces Bid for French Presidency in 2027
Eleven-time judo world champion Teddy Riner, 37, announced on Monday his candidacy in France's April 2027 presidential election, confirming to media that the viral video address was serious. The taz.de report describes his polished staging—dark suit, tricolor, bookshelf backdrop—and notes his high popularity as a sports star with no party-political record. Riner has offered only vague slogans such as "giving up is not an option" and standing "neither left nor right," which the article interprets as a possible strategy against a runoff between Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, potentially filling a gap among unconvincing centrist candidates. The piece also notes vulnerabilities: a tax-evasion conviction tied to his luxury car rental business and suspicion of lobbying for Morocco, where he holds residency. It adds that unpopular President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Riner's engagement in the debate, which could temper enthusiasm among some fans.
Teddy Riner Announces Surprise 2027 French Presidential Candidacy
French judo champion Teddy Riner, a triple individual Olympic gold medalist, announced his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election in a nearly three-minute video posted on social media on Monday, November 9, 2026. The 37-year-old athlete said he is running to 'lift up France' and described himself as 'neither right nor left,' acknowledging critics will call him crazy for lacking political experience. Riner had hinted at political ambitions since May 2025 and has recently spoken out on issues including the rise of the far right and a student protest movement. His candidacy adds to roughly thirty other declared or potential candidates. The article notes that some issues, particularly tax-related matters, could handicap the early stages of his campaign.
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Teddy Riner's Surprise Presidential Bid Shakes Up French Campaign
Triple Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner announced on Monday, November 9, that he will run in France's 2027 presidential election, declaring he wants to "lift up France" and is "neither of the right nor the left." In a nearly three-minute video posted on social media, the 37-year-old athlete acknowledged he lacks political experience but said "the fight has always been part of me." Riner had hinted at political ambitions in May 2025 and has recently spoken out on issues including the rise of the far right, which he said made him "flip out," and a high school protest movement. His candidacy adds to roughly thirty declared or potential contenders. The article notes that some issues, particularly tax-related matters, could hamper the start of his campaign.
Read sourceOlympic Champion Teddy Riner Announces French Presidential Bid to Challenge Le Pen
Five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner announced his candidacy for France's 2027 presidential election in a video released Monday, citing concern over the rise of the far right and the country's ongoing social protests. The 37-year-old said he could not stand by and watch the country burn, and positioned himself as neither left nor right, aiming to offer voters an alternative to the extremes represented by Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National and Jean-Luc Mélenchon's La France Insoumise. Riner acknowledged there are many candidates but expressed confidence in his chances. He said he would not rule out competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics even if elected, provided the office and French voters allow it. Polls show Le Pen leading with 35-37 percent, with a likely runoff against Mélenchon.
Read sourceJudoka Teddy Riner announces candidacy in France's 2027 presidential election
Teddy Riner, the triple Olympic individual judo champion, announced on Monday, November 9, in an interview with Le Parisien that he is entering the French presidential campaign. The 37-year-old athlete, who describes himself as "neither right nor left," says he wants to become "the president who unites" the French. He cites social anger and a desire to think big for France as motivations. Riner outlined early program themes including anti-racism and a pension system overhaul that preserves the pay-as-you-go solidarity system while possibly adding a capitalization component. He said he has assembled a core team of about twenty people from civil society, civil service, and former ministers, and will create his campaign association with statutes filed Monday. He acknowledged anticipated criticism that he lacks political experience, saying his life has been about fighting, falling, and getting back up. Riner said he will not end his athletic career and may compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if his role and the French people permit.