French biathlete Julia Simon has won Olympic gold in the women’s 15km biathlon, a victory that has drawn renewed attention to a legal case involving one of her teammates.
Simon, 29, crossed the finish line ahead of fellow French athlete Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, who placed 80th in the same race. Another French competitor, Lou Jeanmonnot, secured the silver medal.
The result comes months after Simon was convicted of credit card fraud involving Braisaz-Bouchet.
Conviction and Court Ruling
Last October, a court in Albertville fined Simon €15,000 and handed her a three-month suspended sentence after finding that she had used card details belonging to Braisaz-Bouchet to make purchases totaling more than €2,000. She was also found to have used the credit card details of the team’s physiotherapist between 2021 and 2022.
For several years, Simon denied the allegations and said she believed she had been a victim of identity theft. However, during court proceedings, it was revealed that photos of the credit card were stored on her phone. She later admitted guilt.
At the time, Simon described her actions as difficult to understand and said she was working with a psychologist to process what had happened. The offenses took place in 2021 but only became public in 2023, after she had already won multiple world championship titles.
Reaction and Fallout
Following the case becoming public, Braisaz-Bouchet said she experienced significant online backlash. She explained that some people viewed her as responsible for bringing attention to the situation, particularly as the news surfaced during a successful season for Simon.
The French Ski Federation imposed a six-month suspension on Simon, though five months were suspended. As a result, she missed one event at the start of the season but remained eligible to compete at the Winter Olympics.
Earlier in the Games, Simon also helped France secure gold in the 4x6km mixed relay, racing the final leg for her team.
A Subtle Gesture at the Finish Line
After securing the individual gold medal, Simon was seen placing a finger to her lips as she crossed the finish line. When asked about the gesture, she said it was directed at one specific person and declined to provide further details.
Simon chose not to discuss the conviction or suspension following her win. Instead, she emphasized her focus on competition.
“I’m just focused on my sport,” she said, adding that the result felt like a dream after what she described as a difficult period.
Wider Issues in the Sport
Simon’s case is one of several controversies that have affected French biathlon in recent years. Lou Jeanmonnot previously revealed she had received threats from a gambler upset over financial losses connected to her performance. Another team member, Jeanne Richard, was temporarily removed from the national squad after being accused of interfering with a teammate’s equipment.
The sport has also faced broader scrutiny at the international level. Anders Besseberg, the former head of the International Biathlon Union, resigned in 2018 amid corruption allegations and was later sentenced to prison.
Despite the surrounding controversy, Simon’s Olympic victory marks a major achievement in her athletic career, even as debate continues over her past conduct.