French judo hero Teddy Riner announces candidacy for president

France's 'judo hero' Tedy Riner (37) has declared his candidacy for the French presidential election next year.

According to AFP on the 9th (local time), Liner said in a video released on social media that day, "I am telling you directly. I am a candidate for the 2027 presidential election."

Riner, who is from Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean, has recently publicly expressed concern about the "rise of the far right."

In the video that day, Liner said, "Today we live side by side with each other. I am afraid that tomorrow we will live in opposition to each other," and declared himself an 'alternative candidate' for voters who are wary of the extreme left and extreme right.

He pointed out the reality of France, which is "crumbling under the weight of debt," and said, "It's painful to see my father or mother gritting their teeth while putting things in a shopping cart."

Targeting the recent protests in France, he pointed out that "the authority of the state has disappeared" in the face of "thugs."

He also criticized "a system where a young person's future can be destroyed because they do not have the right connections, the right name, or the right skin color."

“Fighting has always been a part of who I am,” Liner emphasized. “I know what it means to struggle, to fall, and to always get back up again.”

He added, “People will say that I am a crazy person with no political experience, but if you say that I am a ‘crazy person’ because I refuse to bow my head and refuse to be confused, then I am completely crazy.”

Riner said he plans to launch his campaign quickly, raising funds through donations and personal funds.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Riner's declaration of candidacy and said, "It is bound to benefit the country that a great champion has decided to participate in the debate surrounding the presidential election and contribute his beliefs, thoughts, and talents."

However, some predict that it will not be easy for Riner to emerge as a strong candidate in next year's presidential election.

“Given how much power the presidency holds, the French take presidential elections very seriously,” said Dani Podgoretskaya, an analyst at Eurasia Group, an international political risk analysis firm. “Rinner has no experience in elected office, no party affiliation, and no concrete promises yet.”

Riner is a French sports hero who won the men's heavyweight gold medal in judo at the 2012 London, 2016 Rio de Janeiro, and 2024 Paris Olympics, and the mixed team gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. Riner, who has won five gold medals and two bronze medals in the Olympics and won the World Championships 11 times, the most ever, is considered one of the best athletes in judo history around the world.

He said that even if he is elected president, he plans to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics "if the presidency allows and the French people allow."