Overall World Cup winner Julia Simon is returning to the big biathlon stage for the first time after allegations of fraud were made against her. The Frenchwoman will take part in a competition in her home country on Thursday and will appear in public after a week-long game of hide-and-seek.
Coach Cyril Burdet confirmed the comeback of the French overall World Cup winner to “Nordic Magazin”. Accordingly, Julia Simon will take part in a shooting competition in Bessans on Thursday. Her teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, who reported Simon for credit card fraud, is not at the start.
The comeback of the 26-year-old has been eagerly awaited for weeks. Simon withdrew from the public after the allegations of fraud became known.
She has also not taken part in the preparations for the French team for the season, instead training in isolation in her home country on her own. She canceled her planned starts at the Blink Festival in Norway and the City Biathlon in Wiesbaden.
Biathlon star prepares “thoroughly” for the season
Burdet is aware that the return of the overall World Cup winner will be accompanied by a few disruptive fires. He therefore told the “Nordic Magazin”: “We try to do our best under these complicated circumstances.” At the same time, he is not worried that Simon might be out of shape.
“She’s not lagging behind in her preparation and is training well,” said Burdet, who has no concerns about Simon’s commitment. The 26-year-old is preparing “completely and seriously” for the season and is working “very thoroughly, as always,” emphasized the coach.
French biathlon team mad at Julia Simon
It is not known whether there has already been a discussion between Simon and the rest of the French team behind the scenes. About two weeks ago, several of Simon’s teammates had publicly commented on the case and sharply criticized the 26-year-old in front of the cameras.
For example, Braisaz-Bouchet said she tried to resolve the matter privately. But Simon didn’t agree to that. So she took the evidence and reported the case. Lou Jeanmonnot said she was “mad” at Simon who “made a lot of bad decisions” and demanded a full apology.
Simon is accused of stealing Braisaz-Bouchet’s credit card in August and using it to make online purchases.
In the spring of 2023, the case ended up with the French authorities, who have been investigating ever since. Nothing is known about the current status of the investigation.