French Olympic swimming champion Yannick Agnel has been ordered to stand trial on serious charges of rape and sexual assault. The case centres on allegations concerning the 13-year-old daughter of his former coach.
Court Orders Trial for Former Swimming Star
The prosecutor general's office in Colmar confirmed the news on Thursday, 15 January 2026. The investigative chamber of the Colmar appeals court has ruled that Agnel, now 33, must face trial. This decision is based on the fact he was an adult at the time of the alleged incidents. Agnel has a period of ten days to lodge an appeal with France's highest court, the Court of Cassation.
Details of the Allegations and Past Admission
According to French judicial officials, the alleged offences occurred in 2016 across multiple locations. These include the eastern French city of Mulhouse, where Agnel trained, as well as Rio de Janeiro during the Olympic Games, Spain, and Thailand. At the time, the girl was 13 years old and Agnel was 24.
The former athlete was first arrested in December 2021. During that initial phase of the investigation, he admitted to having a relationship with an underage girl but firmly denied any coercion. His legal representative has not provided an immediate comment following the latest court order.
Legal Context and Career Background
This case falls under a significant legal change in France. In 2021, the country passed a law that characterises sex with a child under the age of 15 as rape. This offence is now punishable by up to 20 years in prison, aligning French law more closely with other Western nations.
Yannick Agnel was a celebrated figure in French sport, winning two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics. His victories came in the 200-metre freestyle and the 4x100-metre freestyle relay. He retired from competitive swimming in 2016, the same year the alleged crimes are said to have taken place.
