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Julia Simon, Convicted of Fraud, Wins Second Olympic Gold and Shushes Critics

Suspended court and federation penalties preserved her eligibility for Milan-Cortina.

Overview

  • France’s Julia Simon won the women’s 15km individual biathlon on Wednesday in 41:15.6, her second gold of these Games after anchoring the mixed relay victory.
  • Lou Jeanmonnot took silver and Bulgaria’s Lora Hristova earned bronze, while Germany’s Franziska Preuss fell from contention after two late misses.
  • Simon made a finger-to-lips gesture at the finish and later told reporters to focus on sport, a response she linked to a critical article.
  • In October 2025, a French court gave her a three-month suspended prison sentence and a €15,000 fine for theft and credit-card fraud involving teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and a team physiotherapist, with purchases exceeding €2,000.
  • The French Ski Federation issued a six-month ban with five months suspended and a €30,000 fine, allowing her to compete; Braisaz-Bouchet raced the same event and finished 80th.