Happio's Domestic Violence Trial Postponed

The trial of Wilfried Happio, the 2022 European 400-meter hurdles silver medalist, on domestic violence charges, has been postponed until October 7. The decision was made this Wednesday by the Créteil judicial court, following a request from the athlete's lawyer.

Happio, who has been suspended since January 2025 for failing to meet his anti-doping location obligations, did not appear at the hearing, which drew criticism from the presiding judge. "This request for a postponement did not exempt Mr. Happio from attending the hearing. He should have been here today," the magistrate declared.

The accusations, dating back to 2018 and 2019, were made by his former partner, Maria (name changed), who reported physical and psychological abuse. The complaint was formally filed in December 2024, five months after an article in Le Monde newspaper detailed her testimony.

Defense attorney Me Pierre-François Feltesse justified the postponement request by stating he was "currently pleading in a jury court," according to an associate. Meanwhile, the complainant's lawyer, Me Lina Belkora, did not oppose the postponement, though she expressed regret over the athlete's absence.

"We regret that the hearing could not take place today," stated Me Belkora, adding that her "client awaits the outcome of this process." The lawyer emphasized the importance of the accused's presence: "We would have liked Mr. Happio to be present today, which was not the case. His presence seemed essential for him to answer the court's questions."

Despite the postponement, the victim's lawyer successfully ensured that Wilfried Happio's judicial supervision would be maintained. The athlete remains prohibited from contacting the victim and approaching her residence, in addition to having a treatment obligation.

It's worth noting that the Paris 2024 Olympic Games semifinalist had previously faced complaints from two other women. One for physical violence in 2020 and another for sexual assault in 2021. Both cases were dismissed by the justice system due to "insufficiently characterized offense."