French judo champion Teddy Riner announces run in 2027 presidential election

French judo champion Teddy Riner announced on Monday, 9 November 2026, that he will run in France's 2027 presidential election. He made the announcement in a video posted on social media.

Riner, 37, is a multiple Olympic judo champion. The Guardian and the South China Morning Post put his Olympic titles at five.

In an interview with the newspaper Le Parisien, published the same day, Riner described his political position as "neither right-wing nor left-wing". Before the announcement, he had publicly expressed concern about the rise of the far right in France.

France 24 quoted him as saying: "My name is Teddy Riner and today, I am telling you face to face: I am a candidate in the 2027 presidential election".

Background and campaign

According to France 24 and the South China Morning Post, which carried near-identical reports, the video lasted two minutes and 37 seconds. Both outlets described the announcement as a surprise.

According to The Guardian, Riner has no party backing. He was preparing to try to gather the 500 sponsorship signatures from elected officials that French law requires of presidential candidates. The reports do not indicate whether he has secured any. They also do not describe a campaign organisation, funding or advisers.

The Guardian reported that about six weeks before the announcement, Riner faced racist abuse and online harassment. This followed his comments on a TV sports show about his anxiety over the rise of the far right.

According to The Guardian, the election to replace Emmanuel Macron is scheduled for April-May. It reported that polls point to Marine Le Pen of the National Rally as a possible frontrunner, with Jean-Luc Mélenchon trailing. The Guardian does not name the polls.

What each side says

Riner says France is deeply divided. The Guardian quoted him as saying: "I don’t see a single candidate putting forward a credible and fair vision capable of bringing French people together rather than dividing them."

He also said, according to The Guardian: "France does not need a professional politician who recites lessons and quarrels all day long." He cited soaring debt and rising grocery prices among France's problems. The Guardian also reported that he hopes to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if elected. The reports do not explain how he would combine the two roles.

France 24 and the South China Morning Post said Riner appeared to cast himself as a candidate for voters unwilling to choose between the far right and the hard left.

Dani Podgoretskaya, an analyst at Eurasia Group, told Agence France-Presse there is little chance he would be seen as a serious contender, according to The Guardian. "He has no experience in elected office, no party and no detailed programme yet," she said.

The reports do not include reactions from other candidates or parties.

Analysis

Riner's candidacy tests whether personal popularity can substitute for party structures in a French presidential race. His first practical hurdle is the 500 sponsorship signatures; the reports do not show how far he has progressed. If he secures them, he could attract voters who reject both the far right and the hard left, as some outlets suggest he is aiming to do. If he does not, his bid may remain a commentary on voter frustration rather than a contest. Without a published programme, it is too early to judge his policy appeal or effect on other candidates.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.