The legally convicted biathlete Julia Simon has to watch the start of the World Cup in Sweden. The ten-time world champion can take part in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
As the French Ski Federation (FFS) announced, Julia Simon was banned from competing and training for six months – but five of them were suspended.
The decision was eagerly awaited. Numerous measures were discussed, from a warning to a long ban.
The announced ban applies to all events of the FFS and the World Biathlon Federation IBU and came into force on November 7th.
Simon has to watch the World Cup opener in Östersund, Sweden (from November 29th). However, at the subsequent stop in Holfilzen, Austria, the Frenchwoman would be eligible to start again.
Simon also received a fine of 30,000 euros, 15,000 of which was suspended. The French association spoke of a “very strict” decision by the independent disciplinary commission. Both the association and Simon have seven days to appeal the decision.
Biathlete Julia Simon admits her guilt
The credit card affair surrounding Simon had made waves around the French biathlon team in recent months.
The 29-year-old was sentenced to a three-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 15,000 euros in the criminal court in Albertville around two weeks ago. At the end of October, Simon fully admitted her guilt and apologized.
The Frenchwoman has been one of the best biathletes in the world for years. Simon has already won ten gold medals at world championships in her career. In the 2022/23 season she also triumphed in the overall World Cup.