After a month in the penalty box, Julia Simon returns to the Biathlon World Cup in Hochfilzen. France’s head coach expects the ten-time world champion to fit in seamlessly, at least in terms of sport. A French legend hopes that Simon’s season will be a success after all.
Julia Simon has served her one-month sentence and will compete in the Biathlon World Cup for the first time this season in the Hochfilzen sprint on Friday. The 29-year-old has 30 days of isolation and individual training behind her, so her return is fraught with question marks.
However, head coach Cyril Burdet and association boss Stéphane Bouthiaux assured in advance that the ten-time world champion would be at her best physically in Austria.
“According to the information I have, her physical level is good. She is in shape,” said Burdet before leaving Östersund. Bouthiaux said in the “RMC” interview: “I know that she has trained a lot and very seriously. And knowing her, she will want to show something as soon as she gets back.”
“Everyone has the right to their own opinion”
But one thing is also clear: the sporting aspect doesn’t necessarily play the main role in Simon’s return. It is completely unpredictable how the 29-year-old will be received by her teammates and the other biathletes.
Bouthiaux was diplomatic about this and explained: “The judiciary has done its job and imposed a punishment. The sports justice system has also done its job. Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but we are not here to judge. We are here to implement what we are supposed to implement. And we will try to do that as best we can.”
Biathlon legend: “The show must go on”
The French biathlon legend Corinne Niogret expressed the hope to the “Nordic Magazine” that Simon can somehow shake off the whole story and concentrate fully on the sport.
“There have been other people who have tested positive for doping, which for me has a stronger connection to sport, and have come back after serving their sentence. For me it’s the same here. The show must go on, as they say. She was punished, now she’s back and I wish her a good season and a good return. […] I hope everything goes well,” said the Olympic champion.