Teddy Riner announces run for French president in 2027

In November 2026, judoka Teddy Riner announced that he would run in the 2027 French presidential election. The heavyweight is one of the country's best-known athletes and a multiple Olympic and world champion, and the announcement caught many in French sport off guard.

Riner had hinted at political ambitions before. In earlier interviews he said that the idea of one day becoming president remained present, without turning it into a formal campaign. His public comments on political subjects, including concern about the rise of the far right, had already drawn attention and sparked debate on social media.

The announcement mattered because it brought a leading sporting figure directly into the race for the Élysée, the French presidency. It also raised questions about his sporting future, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, which he had named as a goal. Reactions from athletes, politicians and commentators were divided, and the news revived the debate over sports stars entering politics.