Caught by the law, Julia Simon is now also being targeted by her federation. The Savoyard biathlete, recently sentenced to three months' suspended imprisonment and a €15,000 fine for credit card fraud, has just received a six-month suspension, five of which are suspended, handed down by the disciplinary committee of the French Ski Federation.
A punishment deemed too lenient by some
This decision allows the champion to miss only the first World Cup stage in Östersund (November 29 to December 7) before resuming competition in Hochfilzen, Austria, from December 12 to 14. She should therefore be present at the Winter Olympics next February, held from February 8 to 22. But for many, the sanction seems too lenient given the seriousness of the offense. Julia Simon, a member of the French customs team, could still face further measures. The International Biathlon Union (IBU) is expected to rule on her case soon, and the customs service, to which she is administratively attached, could also decide on an internal suspension. The affair, which broke last year following suspicions of fraudulent use of a bank card to the detriment of a teammate, continues to weigh heavily on the athlete's career. While his immediate sporting future remains safe, his reputation has been seriously tarnished.
