Five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner says he will run in France's 2027 presidential election.

Riner, 37, announced it on Monday in a social media video and an interview with Le Parisien.

He says he is neither left nor right wing, and wants to stop an extreme right victory.

President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the news and called Riner a tremendous athlete who makes the country proud.

Riner has five Olympic golds and two bronzes, plus 11 world titles. He is the most decorated judoka in Olympic history.

To get on the ballot he needs 500 signatures from elected officials in at least 30 departments or territories.

Collection opens on 7 February and closes on 12 March 2027. His party, La France qu'on veut, was founded on Monday.

Marine Le Pen leads early polls at 34 to 36% in the first round. Jean-Luc Melenchon is at 18 to 19%.

Macron cannot run for a third term. Voting is due on 18 April and 2 May 2027.

Analysts call his bid a long shot, since he has no political experience and no party machine behind him.

Riner still wants to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and win a fourth individual gold.

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