French Judo Champion Teddy Riner Announces 2027 Presidential Bid

French judo star Teddy Riner announced on Monday that he intends to run in France's 2027 presidential election. The 37-year-old multiple Olympic champion made the declaration in a video posted to social media, launching a campaign framed around concerns over growing political division in the country.

In the video, which ran for two minutes and 37 seconds, Riner addressed viewers directly to confirm his candidacy for the nation's highest office. He voiced apprehension regarding the rise of the far right and warned that France risks becoming deeply fractured in the coming years.

POSITIONING AGAINST POLITICAL EXTREMES

Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished judokas in the history of the sport, Riner appears to be positioning his campaign toward voters seeking an alternative to polarized politics. His message targets electorate members who are reluctant to support either the far-right or hard-left political factions.