French-Algerian gymnast Djenna Laroui has filed a formal harassment complaint following her decision to switch allegiance from the French national team to Algeria, according to verified reports. The 21-year-old athlete announced her change of sporting nationality in April 2026 after nearly a decade representing France in international competition.
Laroui, born on January 15, 2005, in Lyon, France, confirmed her departure from the French team in a statement released on April 12, 2026. She cited a long-held desire to compete for Algeria, stating the move aligned with her personal career vision. The gymnast had been a member of the French national team since 2016, earning bronze medals at both the World Championships and European Championships during her tenure.
Following her public announcement, Laroui reported experiencing harassment that prompted her to pursue legal action. While specific details of the alleged harassment have not been disclosed in verified sources, the filing of a complaint has triggered an official investigation. Authorities have opened an inquiry into the matter, though no further details about the investigation’s scope or timeline have been made available through official channels.
The gymnast’s decision to switch national teams came after a period of absence from competition due to a six-month suspension in 2024 resulting from a positive anti-doping test. Despite this setback, Laroui had maintained her status as a senior elite gymnast, most recently contributing to France’s team bronze medal at the 2025 European Championships in Leipzig.
Upon her arrival in Algeria, Laroui was welcomed by the Algerian national team at Houari Boumédiène Airport in Algiers. She joined teammates including Kaylia Nemour, marking her first official appearance with the Algerian squad. The transition represents a significant shift in her athletic career after nearly ten years competing under the French flag.
Laroui expressed that while she felt honored to have represented France for so many years, her switch to Algeria was made “by conviction” and aligned with the sporting project she wishes to pursue. She emphasized that the idea of changing national teams had been present in her thoughts for some time, though she had not anticipated the timing until the opportunity arose in early 2026.
The Algerian Olympic Committee and gymnastics federation have not issued public statements regarding Laroui’s complaint or the subsequent investigation. Similarly, French gymnastics officials have refrained from commenting on the matter, citing the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
As of the latest verified information, Laroui remains eligible to compete for Algeria under International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) rules governing changes of sporting nationality. The FIG requires athletes wishing to change national representation to observe a waiting period and obtain approval from both their former and new national federations, procedures that appear to have been completed in Laroui’s case given her April announcement and subsequent arrival in Algeria.
This situation highlights the complex intersection of athletic identity, national representation, and athlete welfare in elite sports. Cases involving athletes changing national teams occasionally draw public scrutiny and, in some instances, lead to heightened pressure on the individuals involved.
The investigation into Laroui’s harassment complaint remains ongoing. No arrests or formal charges have been reported in connection with the case as of the latest available information. Both the gymnast and her legal representatives have declined to provide further details while the inquiry proceeds.
For continued updates on this developing story and other developments in international gymnastics, readers are encouraged to follow official communications from the International Gymnastics Federation and national sporting bodies.
Stay tuned to Archysport for verified updates as this situation evolves.
