Biathlon: "My name was used without my knowledge" promises Julia Simon, accused of fraud

French biathlete Julia Simon, the target of two complaints for credit card fraud, including one filed by another biathlete from the France team, does not "absolutely recognize the facts", she said in an interview on Thursday. with the Dauphiné Libéré.

"There are purchases made by credit card (on biathlete Justine Braisaz-Bouchet's card and on that of another staff member, editor's note) with my name on it, but today I am also victim of this situation. My name was used without my knowledge,” said Julia Simon, adding that she had filed a complaint against X for identity theft. "Going to file a complaint shows that I am also innocent and that I am trying to find the truth," she added.

Two complaints were filed in Savoy for fraud in December (2022) and May (2023), the facts dating from the summer of 2022 during an internship in Norway. The presumed damages amount respectively to 1600 euros and to around twenty euros.

In the interview with the Dauphiné Libéré, Julia Simon regrets having "taken (the affair) lightly at the start". “I was like an ostrich, telling myself that winter was here and that I had to do my sport. I did not realize the importance that this story could take, ”she said.

The 26-year-old biathlete won the Biathlon World Cup last winter, making her the world No.1, and she was also crowned pursuit world champion in February.

Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (27) is due to return to competition next winter after giving birth to her first child in early 2023.