French judo champion Teddy Riner said Monday he will run in France’s 2027 presidential election, announcing the bid in a social-media video^2,5.

Africanews said Riner, 37, announced the bid on social media and told Le Parisien he is neither right-wing nor left-wing and wants to bring people together². He said remaining a spectator would be irresponsible².

France 24 said he presented himself as a candidate for voters unwilling to choose between political extremes, after expressing concern about the far right and national division⁵.

He said he still intends to pursue Olympic gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Games if presidential duties allow it².

SCMP’s headline said President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Riner’s entrance into the race; that article did not load for this filing⁴. AP and The Guardian also reported the announcement; their wording is not used here^1,3.

Whether Riner will gather the endorsements required to appear on the ballot was not established in the accounts reviewed^2,5.