Julien Simon, a French biathlete serving probation for credit card fraud, has won two gold medals at the Olympics, while a teammate and victim of the fraud finished in 80th place.
Julien Simon, a 29-year-old French biathlete currently on probation due to a conviction for credit card fraud, achieved remarkable success at the Olympics by winning gold in both the women's 15km individual event and the mixed relay. Competing in Antholz, Italy, Simon's performance has drawn significant attention, particularly given his legal troubles. In 2022, he was convicted for illicitly using a teammate's debit card for online shopping exceeding 2000 euros, resulting in a three-month prison sentence and fines, though the French Ski Federation only imposed a reduced sanction on him that enabled him to compete in the World Cup and Olympic qualifications.
During his victory in the women's 15km event, Simon's gesture of putting his finger to his lips sparked curiosity among the media, which he attributed to a 'specific person' but declined to further explain. This victory contrasted sharply with the experience of his teammate, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, the victim of his crime, who finished in 80th place. Reports indicate that Braisaz-Bouchet has faced negative comments online since the fraudulent actions came to light, highlighting the tensions and challenges within the French biathlon community.
The French biathlon team has recently been embroiled in multiple scandals, further complicating their image. In a related incident, French athlete Lou Jeanmonnot revealed that she had received death threats from a gambler last year, and another female athlete, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, briefly faced exclusion from the team for mishandling a teammate's firearm. Such controversies could reflect broader issues within team dynamics and the sport's integrity, raising questions about the future direction of French biathlon amid these challenges.
