Biathlon: the rifle of discord
In recent weeks, with Julia Simon’s conviction for theft and fraud followed by a one-month suspension from sport, the French women’s biathlon team thought it had put the past behind it. But in the last few days, another case has come to light : that of the attempted manipulation of Océane Michelon’s rifle by her team-mate Jeanne Richard during the World Cup in Pokljuka (Slovenia).
At the time, to put it into context, the two 23-year-olds were battling it out for the best young woman ranking, which was rewarded with a trophy akin to the crystal globes. It was Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, then in the same room as the Bauges biathlete, who caught the Montblanc native red-handed.
Suspended for three training sessions at the very start of preparations
The sports blog Dicodusport was the first to publicly reveal the information, which Nordic Magazine had been aware of since the start of the summer preparations and can now confirm.
In a report broadcast this weekend byInfosport+, Jeanne Richard, who has always denied the accusations made against her, spoke out on the subject for the first time, contenting herself with a sibylline: “We’ve sorted it out internally, so as far as I’m concerned the subject is closed and we’re moving on!
This rule came into effect at the very start of the repairs when Jeanne Richard was not allowed to take part in the first three training camps of the summer, which were held twice in Prémanon (Jura) and on the Presqu’île de Giens (Var), for the pre-Olympic gathering. The biathlete from Les Gets (Haute-Savoie) finally rejoined the France squad in mid-July in Ceillac (Hautes-Alpes).
As she said, it’s something that’s been dealt with internally,” explained Océane Michelon in the same interview for the Canal+ Group programme. What drives each and every one of us the most is to get on with what’s ahead of us very imminently.”
The French biathletes, who havebecome experts at “sorting things out” since the revelations about Julia Simon‘s actions, will once again have to show all their intelligence if they are not to let this new upheaval tarnish their individual sporting performances. ” We’re all focused on what we have to do, and that’s really the goal for the year,” says Océane Michelon.
- “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
- 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”.
- “It was obvious”: the reasons why Jeanne Richard and Océane Michelon were promoted to the French senior team
