Biathlon: a strong statement from Quentin Fillon-Maillet
To coincide with the opening of the 2025/2026 Biathlon World Cup in Östersund (Sweden) at the end of November/beginning of December, former biathlete Loïs Habert spoke to Quentin Fillon-Maillet for Eurosport about the atmosphere in the French team.
The women’s team, it should be remembered, has been rocked by a number of incidents in recent years, not least the one that sidelined Julia Simon at the start of the season.
“We were touched by it because it created a certain distance with the girls’ group in general. It affected us. It affects the image of biathlon in general. We’ve protected ourselves a bit by taking our own side with the boys’ group. We have a very strong cohesion and we try to keep it at least at boys’ level,” explains the Jura native with five Olympic medals. We still have a very good relationship with some of the girls.
“There have often been tensions”.
She continues: “I may say things that some people won’t like, but the girls’ group has always been more complicated to manage than the boys’ group. There have often been tensions. Since I joined the team, the girls’ group has always been a bit fragile. Now it’s even more fragile.
However, while Quentin Fillon-Maillet repeats that this situation “affects” him, he points out that it does not concern him directly. ” I’m trying to make sure things go as smoothly as possible without it interfering with my personal development. I’m doing my own thing and letting others deal with the problem,” he concludes.
- “I recognise the facts”: Julia Simon admits to theft and fraud at her trial
- Julia Simon given three-month suspended prison sentence and fined €15,000 in bank card fraud case
- Sentencing of Julia Simon: reaction from the French Ski Federation, which “takes note” of the verdict
- Julia Simon case: FFS national disciplinary committee to meet on 6 November
- “Such behaviour may fall under the code of integrity”: Julia Simon could also be sanctioned by the Biathlon Integrity Unit
- Julia Simon case: how the FFS national disciplinary committee will proceed and the range of sanctions it may impose
- The penalty has been imposed: Julia Simon has been suspended for six months, five of which have been suspended, by the French Ski Federation’s National Disciplinary Commission.
- No training camp or races in Bessans, unable to take part in the Östersund World Cup, eligible for selection for the Olympics: the sporting consequences of Julia Simon’s one-month suspension from the sport
- Julia Simon case: La Beaufortaine does not appeal against her one-month suspension
- Julia Simon suspended for one month: the Biathlon Integrity Unit is waiting for the end of the appeal period to “examine the decision”.
- After Julia Simon’s conviction and sporting suspension, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet says: “The only thing I need is respect and fair play”.
- Suspended, Julia Simon trains on her skis at La Féclaz and continues to keep in touch with her French team coaches.
- The Biathlon Integrity Unit is currently examining the Julia Simon case: “This analysis will be completed by the end of the week”.
- Martin Fourcade on the handling of the Julia Simon affair: “The group has kept its unity, even if it’s not easy”.
- Marie Dorin-Habert gives her opinion on the Julia Simon affair in the French team: “We’re lucky to have victims who manage to keep their composure”.
- Bank card theft case: the Biathlon Integrity Unit decides not to sanction Julia Simon, who will be able to take part in the Hochfilzen World Cup
- Back in the French squad: Julia Simon’s one-month suspension is over
- Julia Simon makes her comeback, Oscar Lombardot replaces Antonin Guigonnat: the French team selection for the Hochfilzen World Cup revealed
- Corinne Niogret, 1992 Olympic relay champion, on the return of Julia Simon after her suspension: “She was punished, she’s back and I wish her a good season”.
- “She had a strong desire to return to competition as soon as possible”: Stéphane Bouthiaux on Julia Simon’s return to the French team for Hochfilzen
