Barely having entered the race for the Élysée Palace, Teddy Riner is openly distancing himself from Emmanuel Macron. This Saturday, during his visit to the Made in France trade show in Paris, the five-time Olympic judo champion categorically rejected accusations that he was the incumbent president's candidate. "I am not the president's envoy, I am not a Macron supporter," he declared to reporters, before describing the president's congratulations as a "poisoned kiss ." A firm response, just five days after announcing his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election.
“I am not a Macron supporter”: Teddy Riner sets the record straight
During a visit to the Porte de Versailles exhibition center, Teddy Riner attracted a crowd of visitors and journalists. The 37-year-old champion, who officially announced his candidacy on Monday, November 9, took advantage of the visit to address questions about his relationship with Emmanuel Macron.
The President of the Republic had publicly welcomed his entry into the presidential race. Interviewed on the program "C à vous" on France 5, Emmanuel Macron declared himself "very happy" to see the judoka engage in the political debate, believing that his participation "can only benefit the country."
But Teddy Riner clearly did not appreciate the political consequences of this favorable reception. When asked about the presidential encouragement, he replied: "If I were to react to these congratulations, it would be a poisoned kiss."
The judoka also asserted that he had not been in contact with Emmanuel Macron since announcing his candidacy. "No, I am not in contact with the president ," he stated.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon is already attacking the new candidate
Since entering the presidential race, Teddy Riner has claimed to be independent of traditional parties. He presents himself as a candidate "neither right nor left ," a phrase also used by Emmanuel Macron during his first presidential campaign in 2017.
This similarity in vocabulary quickly drew criticism from the left. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, founder of La France insoumise, notably declared on Friday: "Neither right nor left equals no left."
In response to these accusations, Teddy Riner reaffirmed on Saturday his desire to transcend political divisions. "France belongs neither to the right nor to the left, it belongs to a family ," he declared, before noting that his opponents were already commenting on his candidacy even though he had not yet presented all of his proposals.
A campaign already weakened by the withdrawal of François Braun
Teddy Riner's campaign is also encountering its first difficulties. On Friday, François Braun, former Minister of Health under Emmanuel Macron and one of his main political supporters, announced he was distancing himself from the candidate.
“The campaign has begun, I’m stepping back,” the former minister declared, just four days after the judoka’s candidacy was officially announced. This withdrawal deprives Teddy Riner of support from someone with government experience, at a time when his political team is still being formed.
The Olympic champion also has to contend with still modest voting intentions. Initial opinion polls credit him with 2 to 4% of the vote in the first round of the presidential election, despite his very high profile among the French public.
After the Saint-Denis hospital, Teddy Riner continues his campaign on the ground
On Friday, Teddy Riner visited the Delafontaine Hospital in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis. The athlete met with healthcare professionals and discussed the difficulties in accessing care, waiting times, and the strain on hospitals.
This trip followed the announcement of his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election , during which he promised to unite the French and present a project that transcended partisan divisions.
On Saturday, at the Made in France trade show, he admitted that he did not yet have a complete program. "I want to listen first so that I can then make proposals ," he explained, adding: "I'm not a politician."
Political endorsements that raise questions and sponsors who distance themselves
Teddy Riner's stated desire for independence contrasts sharply with the presence, in his initial entourage, of figures who had been part of the presidential majority. François Braun's withdrawal from his campaign has further fueled questions about the composition of his team.
The candidate must also manage the commercial consequences of his political involvement. Saxo Bank has suspended its participation in an advertising campaign , by mutual agreement with the judoka, in order to comply with electoral regulations. This does not constitute a confirmed termination of their entire partnership.
Teddy Riner, who intends to continue his sporting career alongside his campaign, must now assemble his team, outline his proposals, and gather the 500 endorsements from elected officials required to validate his candidacy. The five-time Olympic champion has never held political office.
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