Teddy Riner was the only athlete to parade in costume, and everyone has their own theory about this choice.

JO PARIS 2024 – As usual, he did not go unnoticed. Teddy Riner was one of the hundreds of athletes present at the champions’ parade this Saturday in Paris, to parade along the Champs-Élysées. For the occasion, the judoka chose a blue costume, a very different choice from his comrades, who had instead opted for their white outfit of the French team.

The five-time Olympic winner brought up the rear and greeted the large crowd present to congratulate the Olympic and Paralympic athletes. He was then decorated at Place de l’Étoile and elevated to the rank of Commander of the National Order of Merit, France Info reports.

“Thank you, it was incredible, and to be here again with us is incredible, you make us go back to this cloud, the Olympic Games in Paris, in France… Thank you, thank you, thank you”he said, visibly moved.

Several theories about social networks

While the athletes were celebrating, on social networks, viewers did not lack imagination and humor to expose their theories on this choice of clothing of the champion. For some it is clear, Teddy Riner arrives directly “of a marriage”as his look appears dressed up compared to the other athletes.

Others seem to have appreciated it less and wonder if the judoka is not trying to stand out from the other champions who parade alongside him. “Why is Teddy Riner coming all alone, in a suit? Doesn’t he want to parade with the others?”wonders an Internet user on X.

Another user of the social network takes it with a smile and speaks of a “bad joke” that the organizers would have done to him. “And then he just understood that he had to come with his French Team outfit and medal.”he jokes.

And why not a desire for a career in politics? The hypothesis has of course crossed the minds of the viewers. “Teddy Riner in a suit, does he already see himself as Minister of Sports?”exclaims one, while the ex-judoka David Douillet had himself been elected to this post in 2011, under Nicolas Sarkozy. “We have images of Teddy Riner when he wins the presidential elections”another jokes.

But not so fast, because the insatiable champion had already mentioned to The Team his desire to resume training, with the goal of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.