Judo champion shakes up French presidential race with surprise candidacy

Five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner has unexpectedly declared his candidacy for France’s presidential election, drawing attention to a race in which the political centre is struggling to find a compelling candidate. His popularity and outsider status could disrupt the contest, although he has no public office experience, party backing or manifesto so far.

Riner, 37, was born in Guadeloupe and has won five Olympic gold medals and 11 world championships, alongside a business career. His campaign slogan is “The France we love”; his election video has attracted more than 28 million views across Instagram and X, and an Ifop poll found 22% said they could vote for him. The article says his bid may fade, but if it gains traction it could force a rethink of the race, currently shaped by Marine Le Pen on the hard right and Jean-Luc Mélenchon on the hard left.