French Judo Star Teddy Riner, Winner of Five Olympic Gold Medals, Announces Presidential Bid, Casting Himself as Neither Left nor Right
PARIS — French judo star Teddy Riner announced on November 9, in a video posted on social media, that he will run in France's 2027 presidential election, becoming the latest public figure to enter the race.
Riner, 37, told Le Parisien in an interview published the same day that he positions himself as "neither right-wing nor left-wing" and hopes to become a president who brings people together, expressing concern about the rise of the far right in France. He said he first considered a run during the 2024 Paris Olympics and made the final decision this autumn.
Riner is among France's most popular public figures. He won individual Olympic judo gold medals in London in 2012, Rio in 2016 and Paris in 2024, plus mixed team golds in Tokyo and Paris, for five Olympic titles in all, alongside 11 world championship titles. At the Paris opening ceremony he co-lit the Olympic cauldron with Marie-José Pérec.
Under French law, a presidential candidate must first gather sponsorship signatures from 500 elected officials to appear on the ballot. The election is scheduled for April 18, 2027, with a runoff on May 2 if no candidate wins a majority. Riner has no party behind him and has not yet published a detailed programme; analysts note that his policies and campaign team remain unknown.
Riner also said running for president does not mean ending his judo career. He still hopes to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and win a fourth individual gold medal, telling Le Parisien he could continue competing if his presidential duties allow it and voters give their blessing.
(Source: Associated Press)
Source: Associated Press
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：里内参选总统的竞选宣传图（由其竞选团队发布，CC0，经 Wikimedia Commons）。 / Photo: Teddy Riner's presidential campaign announcement visual, released by his campaign, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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