French Judo Champion Teddy Riner Announces Presidential Bid

Teddy Riner, a 37-year-old French judo champion with five Olympic and 11 world championship titles, announced his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election on November 9. Riner presents himself as a candidate "neither from the right nor the left" with the goal of uniting the French people and reconciling the country. His bid marks a bold move for someone new to politics.

High-profile athletes are increasingly transitioning into politics, leveraging their fame, popularity, and ability to inspire. Their sports background and personal stories enable them to connect with diverse groups of citizens. A notable example is George Weah, the former Liberian footballer who became the country's president in 2017 after serving as a senator. Weah's journey from a modest background to international football stardom resonated with Liberia's youth.

Athletes bring valuable qualities to politics, including discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and a winning mentality. These traits can be useful in public service. Examples of successful athlete-turned-politicians include Bonaventure Kalou, the former Ivorian footballer who was elected mayor of Vavoua in 2018 and re-elected in 2023. Similarly, Kakha Kaladze, a former Georgian footballer, was elected mayor of Tbilisi in 2017 and re-elected in 2021.

Athletes can also leverage their international experience, relationships, and cultural knowledge to promote diplomacy, cooperation, and economic development. Their background can help restore public trust in traditional political parties. However, transitioning to politics also carries risks. A key challenge is confusing popularity with competence, as managing a team or competing in sports is different from governing a country.

The experience of George Weah, who lost his re-election bid in Liberia in 2023, and Imran Khan, the Pakistani cricket hero who was ousted in 2022, highlights the difficulties athletes face in politics. In contrast, Romario, the Brazilian football legend, was elected federal deputy and senator in Brazil. These examples illustrate the mixed success athletes have had in politics.

Another risk for athlete-politicians is that popularity alone may not be enough to win elections or govern effectively. Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino boxing champion, finished third in the 2022 presidential election. Athletes must demonstrate their ability to lead and make informed decisions in complex political environments.

Teddy Riner's bid for the French presidency will test his ability to translate his sports success into political capital. His campaign will likely focus on uniting the French people and addressing the country's challenges. The outcome will be closely watched, as Riner's candidacy represents a new chapter in the intersection of sports and politics.

Key points

• Teddy Riner, a five-time Olympic judo champion, has announced his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election.