French judo legend Teddy Riner has never been one to aim for second place. The multiple Olympic gold medalist recently made headlines not for his athletic prowess but for his bold political aspirations. In an interview, Riner declared that if he ever entered politics, it would only be to pursue the highest office in France: the presidency.
“If I entered politics tomorrow, it wouldn’t be to be Minister of Sports; it’d be to be President of the Republic,” Riner stated emphatically. “When you’re in politics, who’s the champion? It’s to be president. So there you go, if one day I get involved, it would be to be president.”
This ambitious declaration reflects the champion mindset that has defined Riner’s illustrious career. Just as he has dominated the judo world, accumulating numerous medals and titles, he approaches potential political involvement with the same unwavering determination to reach the pinnacle.
However, Riner was careful not to commit to any immediate political plans. When pressed about whether he truly wants to enter politics, he emphasized that he hasn’t made a final decision.
“As of today, I don’t have the idea, or I haven’t decided yet because I’m in my career, and I’m managing my aftermath today,”
he explained, noting his current focus remains on his athletic career and business ventures.
What particularly animated Riner during the conversation was the suggestion that athletes lack the intelligence or competence to engage in serious political discourse.
“It’s when I hear certain people say that athletes don’t have their say or shouldn’t take a stand. What does that mean? That we’re idiots?”
he challenged.
“We’ve lived through everything. We’re actors in our own project; we have a professional life to manage on the side. We’re not capable of taking or saying things? No, we are capable of making, doing, and making big decisions.”
Riner pointed to the transferable skills developed through elite sports: understanding people, managing teams, experiencing diverse cultures through international competition, and making strategic decisions. He highlighted his business acumen, managing multiple companies and learning to surround himself with expert advisors—skills he believes are directly applicable to political leadership.
The champion also emphasized his commitment to meaningful causes rather than symbolic gestures, citing his role as a sponsor for mental health initiatives.
“Tomorrow when I’m asked to do something, or if I decide to do something, it’s to make things happen,”
he said, underscoring that any political involvement would be about creating real change rather than playing a role.
Whether Teddy Riner ultimately pursues the French presidency remains uncertain but one thing is clear: if he does, he’ll be aiming for the top.
