Teddy Riner presidential candidacy, Digi Mart USA News: France Judo president Stéphane Nomis said he was not surprised by the announcement that Teddy Riner is running for the French presidency. He said Riner has changed in recent months, becoming more accessible to the media and more willing to answer questions and appear on television programs.
Nomis said Riner first said a year ago that if he ran, it would be to become president, not a minister. He said the judo community has been talking about little else for a month.
He described the decision as a sign that a sports figure wants to help steer the country, bring people together and change attitudes.
Nomis acknowledged the challenges ahead. He said Riner will face heavy criticism and that political life is demanding.
With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics approaching, he said he did not know how Riner would combine a political and sporting life, since he knows the demands of elite sport but not those of a president.
Nomis said the French Judo Federation has no concern about Riner missing Los Angeles, adding that Riner is 37 and that every additional year of competition is a bonus. He said Riner would not step onto the mat unless he expected to win, whatever his political role.
On Riner’s qualifications, Nomis said he does not know what skills are required in politics. He said the key to a presidency is surrounding oneself with the best people, noting that Riner is not an economist but could find experts in each field.
He criticized the record of recent administrations on restoring the country and reducing its debt.
Nomis said Riner has consistently shown he surrounds himself with capable people, replacing his training teams to find new people and energy, and that he is someone who comes from the people and understands them. He said Riner could meet any world leader and that this would be an asset for France.
Describing Riner’s charisma, Nomis said he has always represented his sport and country well, knows how to find the right words for his teams, and carries himself with dignity. He recalled that Riner won at the Paris Olympics at an age older than typical in judo and helped the French team win.
Nomis’s message to Riner was to surround himself with the right people, stay on course despite criticism, and choose advisers who are the most competent and deserving and who will help French people live better. He added that Riner will not forget his sport, which he said has shaped him.
