Clarity about participation in the Olympics
Credit card fraud: ban for biathlon world champion
November 7, 2025 – 7:51 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Julia Simon had already been convicted by a court of credit card fraud, but her sporting punishment was still pending. Now it is clear whether she can compete at the Olympics.
Despite being convicted of theft and credit card fraud, biathlete Julia Simon is allowed to take part in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The French Ski Association (FFS) announced this on Thursday.
The 29-year-old was given a six-month ban by the independent disciplinary commission of the FFS – five months of which were suspended. The sanction applies to all events under the umbrella of the FFS and the IBU World Federation and came into force on November 7th. Simon will therefore miss the start of the season in Östersund, Sweden on November 29th, but will be able to compete again at the following World Cup in Hochfilzen.
In addition to the ban, a fine of 30,000 euros was imposed, half of which is also suspended. The association described the decision as “very strict”. Both Simon and the association have seven days to appeal.
Simon had already been sentenced two weeks ago in the criminal court in Albertville – to three months in prison on probation and a fine of 15,000 euros. The multiple world champion was accused of purchasing goods worth around 2,500 euros using stolen credit card information between December 2021 and September 2022. The data came from teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and a team physiotherapist.
Simon initially rejected the allegations and spoke of identity theft. She finally admitted the fraud in court.
The internal investigation began in September 2022. The announcement by Braisaz-Bouchet followed in the summer of 2023. As a result, Simon was temporarily excluded from team training and briefly taken into police custody.