Olympic Champion Yannick Agnel Faces Trial for Rape

Olympic Champion Yannick Agnel Faces Trial for Rape

Former French swimmer Yannick Agnel, a two-time gold medalist at the 2012 London Olympics, will stand trial on charges of rape and sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl, following the rejection of his appeal. Agnel's lawyers had contested the ruling that placed him under indictment, but the appeals court in Colmar, France, has determined that the trial will proceed.

Agnel, who won two gold medals at the 2012 Games, is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with the girl, who was 13 years old in 2016. The former swimmer has consistently claimed that the relationship was consensual and filled with love. According to prosecutors, the incidents took place between December 31, 2015, and August 31, 2016, in various locations including Mulhouse, Thailand, and Tenerife.

The investigation led to Agnel's indictment five months later, in December 2021. He has always denied exerting any form of control over the teenager. The prosecutor at the time, Edwige Roux-Morizot, stated that "the acts constitute rape and sexual assault due to the age difference, as the justice system recognizes a real moral constraint."

In July 2024, Agnel, who retired from competitive swimming in 2016, had a meeting with his accuser, now in her early 20s, which he requested. Agnel gained international prominence in 2010 at the European Championships, where he won gold in the 400-meter freestyle, setting a new French and championship record. Two years later, at the London Olympics, he secured gold in the 200m freestyle and the 4x100m freestyle relay, as well as silver in the 4x200m freestyle relay. Subsequently, Agnel won gold in the same two events at the 2013 World Championships. Although he qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics to defend his title in the 200m freestyle, he failed to make the cut and shortly after announced his retirement from swimming.