French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday welcomed news that judo champion Teddy Riner, one of France’s best-known sports figures, was running in France’s 2027 presidential election.
“I am very pleased … that someone like Teddy Riner, who is a great champion, has decided to get involved in this presidential debate and to contribute his convictions, his ideas and his talent; this can only benefit the country,” Macron told the C a vous news show on France 5 television.
Riner, 37, announced his surprise candidacy on social media earlier on Monday.