Khaberni - The French judiciary has issued a three-month suspended prison sentence against biathlete Julia Simon and fined her 15,000 euros ($17,493) on two charges of fraud using a credit card and theft, raising doubts about her participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Simon, the 2023 World Cup winner who carries France's hopes for a medal in Milan-Cortina, "admitted to all the facts" before the Albertville criminal court and apologized to her two victims, her teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and the team's physiotherapist.
French media quoted Simon as saying in court, "I'm sorry... I can't explain my behavior, I have had to work with a psychologist to understand and recover from it."
The French Ski Federation stated in a press release that its disciplinary committee will meet "at the earliest opportunity" to consider Simon's case.
Prosecutors referred to two fraudulent transactions made using the victims' bank cards, while Simon had previously denied any wrongdoing, stating in 2023 that her name was used without her knowledge, and that she filed a complaint for identity theft.
This case has shaken the French biathlon scene ahead of the Milan and Cortina Olympics, which begin on February 6th.
Simon (29 years old) has won ten gold medals at the World Championships.
