Five-time Olympic champion and 12-time world judo champion Teddy Riner has announced his intention to run in the 2027 presidential election in France. The 37-year-old athlete made the announcement on the social network X.
In an interview with the newspaper Le Parisien, Riner said that he considers himself neither left nor right and wants to be "a president who unites". He also noted that he does not intend to assess the work of the incumbent President Emmanuel Macron at this time.
"I am not looking for someone to blame. I am here to look for solutions," Riner said.
According to the athlete, he intends to finance his election campaign himself and expects to collect the required 500 signatures.
Riner is the world's most decorated judoka. He won Olympic gold in the over 100 kg weight category at the 2012, 2016 and 2024 Games. In addition, he was a champion in the team events at the Olympics in Tokyo (2020) and Paris (2024).
The French presidential election is scheduled for 18 April 2027.
