Cheers, shrugs and one “ridiculous”
Nobody saw it coming, and the reactions show it. Hours after Teddy Riner declared himself a candidate for the 2027 presidential election, French sport spent Tuesday trying to work out whether to applaud or wince.
Ibrahima Konaté, asked after France training, said he had not even watched the announcement. Laure Manaudou told L’Équipe she admired the nerve it takes to jump in. Bernard Laporte, the former sports minister and ex-president of the French rugby federation, went further, calling the move brave and asking why a fighter with charisma and a public profile should not run. Ladji Doucouré made the same point in the same paper. Gwladys Epangue added a joke that stuck: black belt in judo, still a white belt in politics.
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Judo family surprised, Drut unsparing
Inside judo the mood was warm but wary. Stéphane Nomis, president of the French federation, told RMC Sport that Riner never does anything unless he intends to win, though he warned the campaign will bring plenty of blows. Former national coach Benoît Campargue went with “who dares wins”. Ex-judoka Cyrille Maret admitted the news shook the sport.
Guy Drut had no such patience. The 1976 Olympic hurdles champion and former MP called the bid ridiculous, argued Riner has no political experience and will struggle to find the money or the 500 sponsor signatures needed to qualify, and said the only certainty is that people will talk about him. Hammer thrower Quentin Bigot, now a mayor, said the run cheapens the office.
Institutions step in
Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, who leads the French Olympic committee and cannot comment on candidacies, still admitted her surprise, then praised the message of unity as one that fits the values of sport. Sports minister Marina Ferrari was blunter on Tuesday, saying Riner is no less legitimate than anybody else and that she hears the early trial over his credentials. He has every right to run, she said.
Riner, 37, is a five-time Olympic champion. The signature hurdle Drut mentioned is the first real test of the campaign.
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