Julia Simon secured her second gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina by triumphing in the women’s 15km individual biathlon event on Wednesday. Despite facing significant personal challenges over the past few months, Simon showcased her remarkable skills, missing just one target in the shooting range. She managed to recover from a penalty during the first standing stage to clinch the victory. Her compatriot Lou Jeanmonnot earned a silver medal, while Bulgaria’s Lora Hristova took home the bronze.
This remarkable achievement follows a tumultuous period for Simon, who was recently the subject of legal and athletic scrutiny after being convicted of theft and credit card fraud last October. A French court found her guilty of using teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet’s bank card for unauthorized online purchases totaling over 2,000 euros ($2,300). Simon admitted her wrongdoing, receiving a three-month suspended prison sentence and was fined 15,000 euros ($17,800). Furthermore, she admitted to misusing the card of a team physiotherapist from 2021 to 2022.
Confronted with her actions, Simon expressed her confusion during the trial, stating, “I can’t explain it. I don’t remember doing it. I can’t make sense of it.” She has since expressed remorse and is reportedly working with a psychologist to gain insight into her behavior.
To allow her to participate in the Olympics, the French Ski Federation imposed a six-month ban, of which five months were suspended. This meant Simon only missed one early-season event but was able to compete in the Olympics, where she played a pivotal role in winning gold for France in the 4x6km mixed relay on Sunday, anchoring the team to victory.
As Simon crossed the finish line in the 15km event, she held a finger to her lips in a gesture of reflection but refrained from discussing her past. “I’m just focused on my sport; it is the thing I love the most,” she stated. “I had a goal and I put all my energy into it. Yes, it was a difficult month, but today was the perfect result for me; it feels like a dream.”
Braisaz-Bouchet, the target of Simon’s credit card fraud, finished 80th in the race amidst a backdrop of social media harassment following the incident. Simon’s victory and Jeanmonnot’s silver medal reaffirm France’s strong performance in women’s biathlon.
Furthermore, Simon’s triumph has shifted the spotlight onto ongoing issues within the French biathlon team, which has been marred by various ethical controversies, including harassment incidents directed at Jeanmonnot and accusations of equipment tampering among team athletes. Despite these challenges, Simon’s achievements on the Olympic stage demonstrate resilience and commitment to her sport.