French biathlon world champion Julia Simon faces a court date over allegations she stole credit cards belonging to her team-mate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and another member of the French national team staff.
The 28-year-old is due to appear before the criminal court in Albertville on October 24, the French newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré reported on Wednesday. Simon faces charges of theft and fraud.
The 10-times world champion is accused of using the cards to make online purchases in 2022.
The allegations first surfaced at the end of September 2022.
Braisaz-Bouchet filed a complaint in 2023. Simon, who vehemently denies all accusations, was temporarily excluded from team training in 2023 and was even briefly taken into police custody in October that year.
Simon says there were three identical purchases, which she believes indicates that the accusations against her are unfounded and that she herself was likely a victim of identity theft.
The French Ski Federation had already dealt with “internal matters within the French biathlon team” in 2023. According to the federation, it will decide on possible consequences for Simon after a court ruling.
