Meet Teddy Riner, the Decorated Olympian Running for French President

Detailed summary

Amid the widespread unrest that has enveloped France, Riner said “the time has come to step up and take responsibility.” ...

The French presidential election took an unexpected turn this week when Teddy Riner, a celebrated Olympian and judo star, announced his intention to run in the high-stakes race.

“I know what people will say about me: ‘He’s mad. He isn’t part of the establishment. He doesn’t know the rules. He has never been involved in politics,’” Riner said Monday in a video confirming his bid for the April 2027 election. “If refusing to bow my head and refusing chaos makes me mad, then yes, I am completely mad.” Referencing the widespread unrest and turmoil that has enveloped France since September, Riner emphasized that “the time has come to step up and take responsibility.”

The wave of protests started when students blockaded high schools, demanding a reform of what they argue is an underfunded education system. The unrest soon turned into national demonstrations, spurred by multi-generational concerns over cost-of-living pressures. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to streets across the country, with some protests turning violent. Buildings and vehicles were set alight, while tear gas and water cannons were used to dispel crowds after clashes between protesters and riot police. At least 5,000 people have been arrested over the unrest, according to the Interior Ministry, as authorities grapple to regain control of the situation.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "unbridled violence" in a televised national address last month and has repeatedly pledged to restore calm. While the embattled leader told young people their concerns over learning conditions will be addressed, student groups have vowed to keep up the protest pressure.

The political instability has only served to raise the stakes of next year’s presidential elections, which will see a successor appointed as Macron completes his stint limited to two consecutive terms.

“I know what it means to fight, to fall and to get back up,” said Riner, positioning himself as the person to bring the country out of…

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Opening of the article, excerpted from Time. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.