Double gold medal-winning Olympics star charged with raping ex-coach's 13-year-old daughter

Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 16/01/2026

- 10:52

Updated: 16/01/2026

- 11:21

One alleged incident took place during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics when the athlete was 24-years-old

Olympic swimmer Yannick Agnel has been charged with the rape and sexual assault of a teenage girl.

The 33-year-old, who has won two gold medals, faces accusations of having a relationship with the daughter of his former coach.


The alleged incident occurred in 2016 when the girl was only 13 years old.

Agnel has 10 days to appeal to France’s top court, the Court of Cassation.

He will stand trial as he was 24 at the time of the alleged acts.

Agnel was first arrested in December 2021.

He previously admitted to a relationship with an underage girl but denied coercion.

Agnel was 24 at the time of the alleged offences.

Yannick Agnel

Yannick Agnel won two gold medals

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The acts allegedly took place at several locations, according to French judicial officials.

One alleged incident took place during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Other locations include the French city of Mulhouse, where the swimmer was training, Spain and Thailand, according to French judicial officials.

Agnel won two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics in the 200-meter freestyle and the 4×100-meter freestyle relay.

Yannick Agnel

The acts allegedly took place at several locations

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He has also won silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay.

Agnel is the current world record holder in the 400-meter freestyle and the national record holder in the 200 and 400-meter freestyle.

His previous achievements have also earned him the Swimming World's European Swimmer of the Year award in 2012.

The age of consent in France is 15.

Yannick Agnel

Agnel won two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics

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GETTY

Before 2021, there was no age of consent in France.

Under this legislation, sex with someone under 15 is classified as rape.

The punishment can see the offender serve up to 20 years in jail.