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French Olympian Yannick Agnel Indicted, Ordered to Stand Trial on Child Rape Charges

Prosecutors in Colmar say he has ten days to challenge the order before France's Court of Cassation.

Overview

  • The January 15 indictment directs the retired swimmer to face trial on counts of rape and sexual assault involving a minor under 15.
  • Prosecutors allege the acts occurred between December 31, 2015 and August 31, 2016 in Mulhouse, at the Rio Olympics, and in Spain and Thailand.
  • A 2021 French law deems any sexual act with a child under 15 to be rape, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
  • Agnel was arrested in December 2021 after a complaint; he acknowledged sexual encounters but denied coercion, according to reporting from AP and The Athletic.
  • A French appeals court in May 2025 rejected his bid to halt prosecution, and Le Monde reports he met the now-adult complainant in July 2024 at his request.