Olympic Judo Champion Riner Announces 2027 Presidential Bid

Five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner has announced he will run in France’s 2027 presidential election, challenging President Emmanuel Macron’s successor in a crowded race. Riner says he does not identify with either the left or right and wants to counter a sense of dread and resignation and show that France can be turned around. He has also expressed concern about the far right’s rise, as Marine Le Pen leads some polls, though he has not detailed a broader political platform.