French biathlete Simon handed ban but eligible for Winter Games

 

Winter Sports - Biathlon World Championships - Lenzerheide, Switzerland - February 18, 2025 Gold medallist France's Julia Simon celebrates on the podium after winning the Women's 15km Individual REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Nov 6 (Reuters) - French biathlete Julia Simon has been handed a six-month ban by the French Ski Federation, (FFS) but the 29-year-old will be able to compete in next year's Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the governing body said on Thursday.

Five months of the ban are suspended, which means she will miss the first World Cup event in Oestersund, Sweden next month.

Simon, who won the overall World Cup title in 2023 and holds 10 world championship gold medals, was also fined 30,000 euros ($34,986.00) by the FFS National Disciplinary Committee.

The decision follows her credit card fraud and theft conviction last month. Simon was sentenced to a three-month suspended prison term and fined 15,000 euros ($17,493).

The ban prohibits her from participating in competitions or training sessions organised or authorised by the FFS or the International Biathlon Union.

The FFS added it reserves the right to appeal the decision to the Federal Appeals Council within seven days of notification, a route available to both parties.

However, Simon's lawyer Christian Borel told Reuters she has accepted the sanction and will not contest it.

"She is now focusing on her sporting season, which is about to begin," Borel said.