Black French judo star is bombarded with racist abuse sparking police probe after saying he was 'freaked out' by rise of the hard-right

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 05:48 EDT, 25 September 2026 | Updated: 05:59 EDT, 25 September 2026 Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation into the racist abuse and harassment thrown at French judo star Teddy Riner after he expressed concern over the rise of the hard-right. Riner, one of the most successful judo competitors of all time, told a TV sports show earlier this month that he felt 'anxiety' over the rise of the hard-right in France. Asked if he meant 'on both sides' – meaning the hard-left and hard-right - Riner replied 'the far right.' He said that since that interview, he has received a torrent of abuse.Riner, 37, wrote on social media: 'I expressed a concern. Everyone is free to share it or not. Debate and disagreement are legitimate. Hatred and racism are not.'The Paris prosecutor's office has decided to open an investigation for public racist insults and cyberharassment.'From now on, every hateful or racist remark made against me will be documented and, when the facts warrant it, will be subject to appropriate legal action.'I also wish to sincerely thank all those who have sent me messages of support, respect, and solidarity in recent days. They matter. Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation into the racist abuse and harassment thrown as French judo star Teddy Riner (pictured) 'I will continue to express myself freely, with respect and without hatred.'Earlier, he told Parisian media that he would continue to speak out against the hard-right: 'I grew up in a France where people in difficulty were close-knit and united. 'Today's attempts to divide France, to create an mood of instability are unfamiliar to me. What will we leave for our kids tomorrow? The France I want is the France I grew up in where everyone knew how to live together.'The judo expert, who was born on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe and grew up in Paris, became a national star in France at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He is also a major gold medal hope for the 2028 Olympics. Earlier this year, fellow athlete Kylian Mbappé was dragged into a major row with hard-right party National Rally (RN) when he expressed concerns that Marine Le Pen's party could win a presidential election. He said: 'I know what it means and what consequences it can have for my country when people like them come to power.'Ms Le Pen responded by saying: 'Frankly I think football fans are free enough to know who to vote for without being influenced by Mbappé.'Fellow RN politician Julien Odoul accused Mbappé of being a 'political activist'.Riner weighed into the debate this month, writing on social media: 'Being a high-level athlete doesn't prevent one from keeping their feet on the ground and maintaining an attentive gaze on their country. 'Like many French people, the current situation worries me: the rising anger, the difficult end-of-month finances, the eroding respect for our institutions, the vulnerabilities of our school system, and the lack of prospects for our youth. 'If I speak out, it's neither to give lessons nor to divide. I deeply love France: I defend its history, the genius of its people, its heritage, its republican values, and its diversity.'