Biathlon: Julia Simon suspended for one month
Late on Thursday evening, the French Ski Federation (FFS) issued a press release announcing the sanctions imposed by its National Disciplinary Committee on biathlete Julia Simon, who was recently given a suspended three-month prison sentence andfined €15,000for theft and fraud.
A temporary ban of 6 months from taking part in competitions and training sessions organised or authorised by the FFS and the IBU, of which 5 months will be suspended,” it stated. A fine of €30,000, of which €15,000 is suspended, to be paid to the FFS within 6 months and allocated to the training of young biathletes. In practical terms, therefore, La Beaufortaine has been handed a one-month suspension with effect from Friday 7 November 2025.
She will miss the opening of the World Cup
The consequences of this decision, described by the FFS as “extremely severe”, are manifold. Firstly, Julia Simon will not be able to take part in the final training camp for the French women’s team , which kicks off this Friday in Bessans (Savoie). The ten-time world champion will also not be allowed to take part in the selection races on 15, 16 and 18 November.
Furthermore, as this sanction runs until 7 December 2025 and also applies to IBU international competitions, Julia Simon will not be able to take part in the opening World Cup in Östersund (Sweden), scheduled from 29 November to 7 December.
This means that Camille Bened, Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, Paula Botet, Gilonne Guigonnat, Amandine Mengin and Sophie Chauveau will have an extra place up for grabs at the FFS selections in Bessans to kick off the World Cup. Three of these six girls should therefore be making the trip to Sweden. In turn, this means a third ticket for the start of the IBU Cup.
The French Cup at Bessans on 29 and 30 November will also be held without the winner of the crystal globe for the 2022/2023 season.
She’ll be able to go to the Olympics
The one-month suspension, however, means that Julia Simon will be able to return to the World Cup from the second stage, scheduled for 12-14 December in Hochfilzen (Austria) and then in front of her home fans in Le Grand-Bornand (Haute-Savoie) from 18-21 December.
Finally, the penalty imposed on the 29-year-old Savoyard does not prevent her from taking part in the Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina 2026 from 6 to 22 February at the Südtirol Arena Alto Adige.
Thanks to her results last winter, Julia Simon already has a guaranteed place in the quadrennial competition.
- “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.
