Olympic Swimming Star Pleads Not Guilty to Accusations He Raped Teen Girls, Attacked Woman

A former British Olympic swimmer is fighting back against claims that he raped two teen girls and attacked a woman over the course of 10 years.

Antony James, 33, who competed for team Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics, has denied 18 counts against him, Knewz.com reported.

James appeared in Plymouth Crown Court and pleaded not guilty all 18 charges he's facing after the females came forward. He's accused of raping two of the victims when they were teenagers, according to The Sun.

James faces two assault charges causing bodily harm in connection to incidents with the third victim.

The BBC reports James also faces charges including controlling and coercive behavior; causing or inciting a child in sexual activity; sexual communication with a child; intentional touching; and intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of rape.

James, who won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and competed in the Olympics in 2012 in the 100-meter butterfly, the year the alleged abuse began. James also won a bronze medal in the 400-meter medley relay team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

According to The Sun, James was training as a police officer with Devon and Cornwall police at the time of his arrest.

The alleged crimes occurred between 2012 and 2022, according to the BBC.

James was released on conditional bail, and his next scheduled court appearance is November 17. James is expected to go on trial in the summer of 2024, according to the Daily Mail.

James is the latest in a string of sexual abuse accusations against men involved in sports.

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Perhaps the most notorious abuser is Larry Nassar, a former sports medicine physician who was the team doctor of the United States women's gymnastics team.

In November 2017, Nassar pleaded guilty to seven counts of fist-degree criminal sexual assault with minors under the age of 16. In January 2018, Nassar was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years and a maximum of 175 years in prison. Nassar was attacked in prison in July 2023, reportedly after making comments about Wimbledon tennis players, according to reports. He was stabbed six times in the neck and torso and sustained "substantial injuries," according to ABC News.