Gold After Guilt: Julia Simon, Convicted Of Credit Card Fraud, Shushes Haters With Olympic Gold

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 11:44 IST

Julia Simon won gold in the women’s 15km biathlon at Milan-Cortina 2026, overcoming a credit card fraud conviction from last year.

On February 11, 2026, Julia Simon delivered the race of her life.

The 29-year-old French biathlete claimed gold in the women’s 15km individual at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, missing just one target and clocking 41:15.6 to become the first Frenchwoman to win Olympic gold in the event.

But the performance comes with a backstory that has shadowed her for months.

Less than four months ago, Simon was convicted of credit card fraud involving her teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and a French team physiotherapist.

Prosecutors said she used their bank cards to make online purchases totalling more than €2,000.

Simon admitted to “the entirety of the facts" in court and apologised.

“I can’t explain it. I don’t remember doing it. I can’t make sense of it," she said during the hearing, as quoted by Le Dauphiné Libéré.

In October, an Albertville criminal court handed Simon a three-month suspended prison sentence and fined her €15,000. The French Ski Federation imposed an additional six-month ban — five months suspended — along with a €30,000 fine, half of which was suspended.

The penalties left her Olympic participation uncertain.

But ultimately, she was cleared to compete. And on Tuesday, Simon let her skiing do the talking.

A Podium Statement

Simon crossed the finish line to secure first place, holding a finger to her lips — a gesture that sparked fresh debate — as Braisaz-Bouchet, the victim in the case, finished 80th in the women’s 15km individual biathlon.

“It feels like a dream right now," Simon said. “It’s amazing. It’s a race I have dreamed of."

Standing atop the podium, she was overcome with emotion.

“It’s a lot of feelings when you are standing on the podium. You think about your doubts, your good moments, your bad moments, the people who helped you. I’m really proud of myself today."

On her celebration, she added: “I’m here, I’m here for sports. I’m doing my best sport. So now we have to speak about sport and not about gossip."

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