"Joël Chenal, ex-skier, expresses remorse following accusations of sexual misconduct made by 12 women"
Former French ski coach and Olympic silver medallist Joël Chenal is embroiled in a scandal involving multiple allegations of sexual harassment and assault against minors. The accusations, which span from 2005 to 2021, involve at least 12 women who were minors at the time of the alleged incidents.
According to reports, Chenal used his position to initiate contact with the victims via social media, under the guise of coaching, and then steered conversations towards sexual exchanges. One victim claimed that she was harassed from the age of 11 to 18, and that she experienced inappropriate messages and fearful situations during car rides with Chenal.
Chenal has yet to publicly comment on these allegations or respond to inquiries. No public apology or information about a therapy process he might be undergoing has been reported. However, it is known that he is currently under investigation following a sexual assault complaint involving a minor, as reported in July 2025.
Official sanctions such as suspension have been imposed amid these allegations. The French Ski Federation had previously dismissed Chenal in 2017, but the reasons for his dismissal remain unclear. The investigation by Le Monde did not provide specific reasons for his dismissal by the Federation.
The Ministry of Sports issued an "urgent order" to prohibit Chenal from practicing as a coach. One of the accusers filed a complaint for "assault" against Chenal, alleging acts from 2015 when she was 17 years old.
In a statement published on the Le Dauphiné Libéré website, Chenal expressed regret for not having been supported by the Federation and issued an apology for his actions. He admitted to acts committed over a period of about ten years and started a therapy process in 2021.
The allegations against Chenal were reported by Le Monde in a two-part investigation. The investigation found that Chenal used his status as a coach to target vulnerable young athletes and exploit his position for personal gain. It remains to be seen what the outcome of the legal proceedings will be, as Chenal is awaiting a judicial hearing.
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