French swimmer Yannick Agnel has admitted to having sex with a minor just days after his arrest on suspicion of sexual assault and rape.
It is reported that Agnel, who won two gold medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, actually slept with a 13-year-old back in 2016.
The plaintiff is now known as Naome Horter, who is the daughter of Agnel's former swimming coach Lionel Horter.
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Agnel was 24 at the time of the alleged offence.
Prosecutor Edwige Roux-Morizot claims the Frenchman admitted to having a relationship with an underage girl but has denied "coercion", although the "big gap in age" constitutes sexual assault.
In France, parliament adopted legislation that says sex with a child under the age of 15 - even if consensual - is characterised as rape.
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If found guilty, Agnel could face up to 20 years in jail.
The French Swimming Federation have also confirmed that they plan on launching a civil action of their own.
The sport's governing body released a statement, saying: "The Federation has been informed of the admission by Mr. Agnel of 'the substance of the allegations of which he is accused'. The decision was officially taken today to become a civil party before the judicial court of Mulhouse in this case, which the Federation deeply deplores."
Agnel retired from swimming not long after he failed to defend his 200m freestyle title at the Rio Games in 2016.
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Prior to that, he won two golds in London, successfully fending off the legendary Michael Phelps to guide France to victory in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay before clinching gold in the individual 200m freestyle.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: olympics, Sexual Assault, swimming, France, Australia