The China Mail - Ex-Olympic swim champion Agnel to go on trial over rape allegations

The investigation began in the summer of 2021 following a complaint from a swimmer who trained with Agnel in the eastern city of Mulhouse between 2014 and 2016.

The swimmer is suspected of having had a relationship with his coach's daughter while staying at her parent's home in 2016, when he was 24 and she was 13.

Agnel, now 32, has always insisted the relationship was consensual and loving.

The former champion was indicted on charges of rape of a minor under the age of 15, Mulhouse public prosecutor Nicolas Heitz said in a statement.

He is also being prosecuted for sexual assault of a minor under the age of 15, with both charges pertaining to the same victim.

Agnel remains under judicial supervision.

The investigation follows a complaint from Naome Horter, the daughter of the swimmer's former coach, Lionel Horter.

According to prosecutors, the events in question took place between December, 31, 2015 and August 31, 2016 in various locations including Mulhouse, Thailand and the island of Tenerife.

The investigation led to the indictment of the swimmer five months later, in December 2021.

Agnel has always denied that he had any control over the teenager.

The public prosecutor at the time, Edwige Roux-Morizot, considered that "the facts constitute rape and sexual assault due to the age difference, because the justice system considers that there is genuine moral duress."

Last July, the swimmer, who had retired in 2016, went to the office of the investigating judge in Mulhouse for a confrontation that he had requested with his accuser, now in her early 20s.

Agnel came to international prominence at the 2010 European championships when he won gold in the 400-metre freestyle, setting a new French and championships record.

Two years later he starred at the London Olympics when he took gold in the 200m freestyle and the 4x100m freestyle relay as well as silver in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

He collected gold medals in the same two events in the 2013 world championships.

Agnel qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics to defend his 200m freestyle title but failed to get through the heats and announced his retirement from swimming soon after.

W.Cheng--ThChM