French judo champion Teddy Riner on Saturday publicly distanced himself from President Emmanuel Macron, calling his endorsement a "poisoned chalice". The presidential hopeful seeks to position himself as an alternative to France's political extremes.
Issued on: 14/11/2026 - 15:57Modified: 14/11/2026 - 16:59
France's judo champion turned presidential candidate Teddy Riner on Saturday sought to distance himself from President Emmanuel Macron, calling the head of state's rare endorsement a "poisoned chalice".
The centrist president said on Monday that Riner joining the 2027 election race could "only benefit the country" after the popular judoka announced he was running.
"I'm not the president's envoy," said the 37-year-old, who has won five Olympic gold medals.
"If I had to describe the president's congratulations, it would be more like a poisoned chalice," he added as he visited a trade fair of products made in France.
Riner said in his announcement on Monday he feared France could soon become deeply divided. He appeared to cast himself as a candidate for voters unwilling to choose between two political extremes — the far right and the hard left.
The sportsman from the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe has said he is neither from the left nor the right, but some have accused him of seeking to follow in Macron's footsteps.
