“Things written that are untrue”
Teammate stole from her: Biathlon star breaks silence
November 13, 2025 – 7:50 a.mReading time: 1 min.
The credit card affair has shaken French biathlon. The most prominent victim: Justine Braisaz-Bouchet. How is the 29-year-old?
Julia Simon is missing from the French biathlon team – she was banned for a month by the association after credit card fraud. Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, who reported her teammate, has now publicly commented on the affair that has accompanied the team for almost three years.
“I’m dealing with it the way I’ve been doing it for two years. I’m doing my best to differentiate between sport and everything outside of sport,” the Olympic champion said at a press conference at the French training camp in Bessans. The 27-year-old emphasized: “It is my dream to take part in these Olympic Games and to experience the best years of my career.”
Asked whether the verdict against Simon represented closure, Braisaz-Bouchet said: “There was a verdict and you could say that this verdict makes it possible to focus even more on the sport.”
After the allegations became known, Braisaz-Bouchet was heavily criticized on social networks. “It’s not always easy because I’m human and things are said or written that are unfair and untrue, sometimes even defamatory.” Nevertheless, she emphasized: “I don’t think I have to justify anything, at least not the written insults.”
Regarding Julia Simon’s return, Braisaz-Bouchet said: “I sincerely respect the athlete. As long as I’m respected and I can do my job, that’s not an issue.”