# Olympic Judo Legend Teddy Riner Announces 2027 French Presidential Bid Five-time Olympic champion Teddy Riner enters the race to succeed Emmanuel Macron in 2027. - **Source:** [Folha de S.Paulo](https://www.folha.uol.com.br) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c8eca107-c788-4da5-a2df-cb4a78ef338f ## Surprise Presidential Announcement Five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner has officially declared his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election. The 37-year-old athlete announced his bid via a video on his social media platforms. He aims to succeed Emmanuel Macron, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term in the upcoming April 2027 vote. ## A National Icon's Motivation Riner, a towering figure standing 2.03 meters tall, gained immense popularity after lighting the Olympic cauldron during the Paris 2024 Games. He stated his decision stems from observing a divided nation following the unity seen during the Olympics. He positions himself as a centrist alternative, claiming he belongs to neither the left nor the right. ## Challenging the Political Extremes The judoka expressed concern over the current political climate, which is heavily polarized between Marine Le Pen's far-right and Jean-Luc Mélenchon's radical left. Riner argues that voters should not be forced to choose between these two extremes. He believes his background in overcoming adversity uniquely qualifies him to lead the country through these tensions. ## Athletic Career and Ambitions As the only judoka with three individual Olympic gold medals, Riner remains an active competitor. He has expressed a desire to continue his sports career and compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. However, he clarified that his participation depends on the demands of the presidency and the approval of the French public. ## Strict Requirements for Candidacy To officially enter the presidential race, Riner must secure 500 endorsements from elected officials, including mayors and parliamentarians. These signatures must originate from at least 30 different French departments. This administrative hurdle is a mandatory step for all candidates seeking to appear on the ballot for the two-round election scheduled for 2027. ## Context of Social Unrest Riner enters the political arena during a period of significant social and economic instability in France. Recent months have seen weekly protests fueled by concerns over purchasing power and deteriorating public infrastructure. Demonstrations in October were particularly intense, resulting in widespread looting and global media attention, further complicating the current political landscape. ## Macron's Final Term Challenges President Emmanuel Macron, who rose to power in 2017 by disrupting the traditional bipartisan system, faces a difficult end to his tenure. His administration is currently grappling with persistent protests and public dissatisfaction. These ongoing tensions provide the backdrop for Riner's campaign, which seeks to address the perceived divisions within French society today. ## The Path to 2027 The election will take place in two rounds on April 18 and May 2, 2027. While Riner faces a crowded field of established politicians, he remains confident in his chances. His campaign will be tested by his ability to navigate complex political structures while maintaining his identity as a celebrated national sports figure. ## Sources covering this story - https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/esporte/2026/11/pentacampeao-olimpico-de-judo-teddy-riner-disputara-a-presidencia-da-franca.shtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._