Teddy Riner enters France presidential race

French judo champion Teddy Riner announced on Monday that he will run in France's 2027 presidential election, saying in a social media video: "I am a candidate."

Riner, 37, is one of France's best-known sports figures and has publicly expressed concern about what he called the "rise of the far right" in France. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is leading polls to replace President Emmanuel Macron next year.

Riner told Le Parisien he intended to continue his sports career while campaigning. He said that if elected, he hoped to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics "if the position allows me to, and if the French people allow me to".

Riner has won Olympic heavyweight judo gold in 2012, 2016 and 2024, and mixed team gold in 2020 and 2024. He has also won 11 world titles.