Simon hunts second gold after controversypublished at 13:33 GMT 11 February
Biathlon - Women's 15km
Image source, Getty ImagesFrance's Julia Simon is the reigning world champion in the individual discipline, nailing 19 of 20 shots to clinch gold last year. She has 10 world titles - six in relays, two in pursuit and one in sprint, plus the overall World Cup title in 2022-23.
But her 2026 preparations have been tumultuous - her selection was in doubt for much of this Olympic cycle and she was only cleared to compete in November.
In October 2025, she was found guilty by a French court of using the bank card of team-mate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and that of a French team physio to spend more than 2,000 euros online. She eventually admitted the offence, saying “I can’t explain it - I don’t remember doing it, I can’t make sense of it”.
In November, she was fined and handed a suspended three-month prison sentence. The French Ski Federation then banned her for six months, five of which were suspended – in effect, that amounted to sitting out the first week of the World Cup season.
She returned in Austria on 12 December, saying she had “cleared the air” in private talks with team-mates. While there has been criticism of the leniency of the ban, Simon appears to have been gradually reintegrated into the team – she competed alongside Braisaz-Bouchet in the final two women’s relays prior to these Games.
Simon was also part of France's mixed relay team - that did not include Braisaz-Bouchet - that won gold on Sunday so will hope to add another medal today.







