Yannick Agnel charged with rape and sexual assault
Olympic swimmer Yannick Agnel has been charged with the rape and sexual assault of a teenage girl, reports BritPanorama.
The 33-year-old, a two-time gold medalist, faces accusations of having a relationship with the daughter of his former coach. The alleged incident occurred in 2016 when the girl was just 13 years old.
Agnel has 10 days to appeal the decision to France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation. He will stand trial as he was 24 at the time of the alleged acts, having been arrested initially in December 2021.
While Agnel has admitted to a relationship with the underage girl, he has denied any coercion involved. The charges relate to several incidents at various locations, including one during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, as well as in France, Spain, and Thailand.
Agnel’s illustrious career includes two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics in the 200-meter freestyle and the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. He is also the current world record holder in the 400-meter freestyle and has won silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay.
The age of consent in France is 15, with sex with someone under that age classified as rape, carrying a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
As this story unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding celebrity and morality in sport, where the line between admiration and accountability can often blur.
