French biathlete Julia Simon has been handed a six-month suspension by the French Ski Federation (FFS); however, the 29-year-old star will still be eligible to participate in the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics next year, the federation confirmed on Thursday.
Simon — the 2023 overall World Cup champion and a 10-time world championship gold medallist — was also fined €30,000 ($34,986) by the FFS National Disciplinary Committee. The punishment follows her recent conviction for credit card fraud and theft, which resulted in a three-month suspended prison sentence and an additional €15,000 ($17,493) fine.
Under the suspension terms, Simon is barred from competing or training in any events organised or sanctioned by the FFS or the International Biathlon Union (IBU).
The federation stated that it retains the right to appeal the ruling before the Federal Appeals Council within seven days of the official decision — an option open to both sides involved.
