The French public prosecutor in Molins has summoned former Olympic swimming champion Yannick Agnel to appear before a criminal court on charges of rape, shared legal sources told Agence France-Presse on Friday.
The prosecution requested to transfer the case of the former swimmer to the regional criminal court for alleged rape of a minor under fifteen and sexual grooming of a minor under fifteen in 2016, both accusations relate to one victim.
The court's decision on the official investigation is expected by the end of April. The court may decide to close the case in its entirety or partially, or transfer it to criminal court.
The investigation began in the summer of 2021 after complaints from athletes, whom Agnel coached in Molins from 2014 to 2016. It is alleged that the swimmer maintained relationships with the minor while living with her parents, while the girl's father was previously Agnel's trainer.
At the time of the incident, the athlete was 24 years old, and the girl was 13. The accusations were presented against Agnel on December 11, 2021.
Agnel, 32 years old at present, maintains that the relationships occurred with the consent of both parties. The then prosecutor, Edwig Ro-Moris, expressed the opinion that "the facts constitute abuse and sexual grooming due to the age difference, since the court considers the presence of real ethical coercion".
In July of last year, Agnel appeared in the office of the judicial police in Molins to confront the accusations alongside the complainant, who is already 21 years old.
Agnel participated in the 2010 European Championships, winning gold in the 400 m freestyle and setting a record for France and the continent. Two years later, he competed in the Olympic Games in London, where he won gold in the 200 m freestyle and won in the 4x100 meters relay, and also won silver in the 4x200 meters relay. He attempted to defend his title in the 200 meters at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, but could not pass the qualifying round, soon announcing the end of his career.
