Biathlon star Julia Simon suspended for six months – will she miss the Olympics?

French biathlon star Julia Simon has been handed a six-month suspension, the French Ski Federation (FFS) announced on Thursday.

The suspension covers participation in all competitions and training sessions organized or approved by the FFS and the International Biathlon Union (IBU).

The decision follows Simon’s conviction in October for theft and fraud against her national teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet.

However, five of the six months are suspended, meaning the 29-year-old could still be eligible to compete at next year’s Winter Olympics in Italy.

The Milan-Cortina Olympics take place in February 2026, while the six-month ban expires in May — just after the Games.

The conditional nature of the ban is seen by many as the FFS leaving the ten-time world champion a possible path back to the Olympics.

Simon has won 13 World Championship medals, including 10 golds — six of them in relays, where France has dominated women’s biathlon in recent years. Last spring, she captured four gold medals at the World Championships in Switzerland.



In addition to the ban, Simon was fined €30,000 (about 332,000 SEK), half of which — €15,000 (about 166,000 SEK) — is suspended. The money will go toward supporting youth biathlon development in France.

The FFS decision does not specify how the conditional sanction will be enforced or under what circumstances it would take full effect.

The suspension takes effect on Friday, November 7, ruling Simon out of the World Cup opener in Östersund, though she could return later in the season if the conditional months remain suspended.



Source: French Ski Federation