Riner, who was born on the French-administered Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, told Le Parisien that he did not see himself as a candidate either on the left or the right of the political spectrum, but rather as someone well-suited to combat what he called a rising sense of dread and resignation among people both young and old.
“France is a great country. It has allowed me to become the person I am today and has given me the opportunity to dream big. Today, that’s what’s missing. That ambition is gone; that hope is gone,” he told Le Parisien.
The 37-year-old joins the race at a pivotal moment, as a crowded field of moderate candidates continues to lose ground to the far-right front-runner Marine Le Pen and far-left hopeful Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Repeated polls in recent weeks have shown that the election, which goes to a two-person runoff if no candidate clears 50% of the vote in the first round, looks headed for a showdown between Le Pen and Mélenchon — both of whom want to fundamentally reshape French government and the country’s relationship with Europe.
Riner’s entry into the race is not a complete surprise, as he hinted at a possible presidential run last year, despite having no political experience. But it has the potential to upend the contest given he’s one of France’s most recognizable and popular athletes.
After lighting the Olympic cauldron at the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, he became one of his country’s biggest heroes at the Games, capturing both an individual gold medal and winning the tiebreaker that netted the French mixed judo team a spot on the top of the podium.
The unity and pride France showed at the Olympics, Riner told Le Parisien, helped lay the foundation for his presidential ambition.