A few weeks ago, it came as a surprise to see Teddy Riner return to the Paris Saint-Germain judo section, signing a contract that runs until 2028. This new chapter for the legendary judoka—a multiple-time Olympic champion—has taken an unexpected turn, as he announced this Monday that he is running in the 2027 presidential election.
While one might have wondered whether this candidacy was entirely serious—given how surprising his entry into the race is—Riner has since confirmed that he is indeed in the running, representing his movement, “La France qu’on veut” (“The France We Want”).
As always, we avoid discussing politics on this site; our goal here is simply to report on this candidacy, launched by a member of PSG—a truly unique development. This is not an expression of political support or opposition. One might, however, wonder what the Parisian club’s stance will be. Should he be elected, his contract could well be significantly altered.
