‘Poisoned chalice’: French presidential hopeful Riner rebuffs Macron’s backing

French judo champion Teddy Riner has distanced himself from President Emmanuel Macron after Macron praised his decision to run in France’s 2027 presidential election. Riner called the endorsement a “poisoned chalice” and said he was not the president’s envoy, as he seeks to present himself as an option for voters who reject both the far right and hard left.

The 37-year-old, who has won five Olympic gold medals, says he is neither left nor right and has warned that France could become deeply divided. Recent polls show far-right candidate Marine Le Pen leading the first round, with hard-left hopeful Jean-Luc Mélenchon projected to reach the run-off; the centre-right has struggled to unite behind a strong candidate. Riner has signalled support for pension reform and lower social security contributions, while also criticising barriers facing young people without the right connections, name or skin colour.