French judo star Teddy Riner has announced plans to run in France’s 2027 presidential election, presenting himself as a unifying figure outside the traditional left-right divide, The Guardian reports.

The five-time Olympic gold medallist made the announcement in a social media video on Monday. He is preparing to seek the 500 sponsorship signatures from elected officials required by French law to enter the race.

Riner, 37, said he wanted to bring “common sense, steadfastness, justice” to a country facing deep divisions. His announcement highlighted national debt, grocery costs and unequal opportunities for people whose backgrounds or skin colour can limit their prospects.

“I know what people are going to say about me: ‘He’s crazy. He’s not from the establishment. He doesn’t have the codes. He’s never done politics,’” he said in the video, according to The Guardian.

In an interview published Monday by Le Parisien, Riner described his views as neither rightwing nor leftwing and argued that the existing candidates were failing to offer a credible, fair vision that could bring French people together.

Born in Guadeloupe and raised in Paris, Riner drew on his sporting career to make his case for office. “Fighting has always been part of me. I know what it’s like to fight, fall and always get up,” he said.

His announcement comes about six weeks after he faced racist abuse and online harassment for expressing anxiety about the rise of France’s far right, The Guardian reported.

Riner faces significant obstacles in the crowded contest to succeed Emmanuel Macron, with voting scheduled for April and May. Dani Podgoretskaya, an analyst at Eurasia Group, told Agence France-Presse that his lack of elected experience, party backing and a detailed programme made him unlikely to be viewed as a serious contender.

Riner also said that, if elected, he hoped to balance the presidency with competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Sources