Sports Legends and Political Lessons for Riner

French judo star Teddy Riner announced his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential campaign on Monday, joining a list of prominent sports figures who have transitioned to political roles. The announcement drew skepticism from some, but Riner is not the first to pursue high office after a successful sports career.

Among Riner's notable predecessors is Imran Khan, the former captain of the Pakistan cricket team. Khan led Pakistan to its first and only Cricket World Cup victory in 1992. Following his cricket success, he utilized his £90,000 (£121,000) prize money to establish a cancer hospital in memory of his mother, named Shaukat Khanum. The hospital, which opened in 1994, was celebrated as a national triumph. Khan's political journey began when he was elected to parliament in 2002, and he served as prime minister from 2018 until 2022. However, his career has faced significant challenges, including an assassination attempt and subsequent imprisonment on charges including corruption and inciting violence, which he claims are politically motivated. As of February this year, Khan has garnered support from various former national cricket captains and intellectuals calling for his release.

George Weah, the renowned Liberian footballer, also made a significant leap into politics after a celebrated sporting career. Weah won the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or in 1995, becoming the first African player to achieve this. His political journey began with a failed presidential bid in 2005. After serving as a senator in 2014, he won the presidency in 2017. However, he narrowly lost his re-election bid to Joseph Boakai and faced criticism for corruption within his government.

Manny Pacquiao, the boxing icon from the Philippines, similarly embraced a dual career in sports and politics. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and later to the Senate in 2016. While balancing his boxing and political duties, Pacquiao faced criticism for the lack of legislative initiatives to his name. His attempt to become president in the 2022 elections resulted in a far third place finish. Nonetheless, following the election, he was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos as the secretary and lead convenor of the Philippines Anti-Poverty Commission, drawing on his own experiences with poverty.

As Riner prepares for his political journey, the paths taken by Imran Khan, George Weah, and Manny Pacquiao may provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead.