"Justice has prevailed, and a penalty has been imposed. The sports justice system has also done its job, represented by the federation's disciplinary committee. So even if everyone has their own opinions, we are not here to judge," French biathlon chief Stéphane Bouthiaux told RMC Sport.
Julia Simon was sentenced in October to three months of suspended prison and a fine of 15,000 euros for theft and fraud. The French Ski Federation subsequently suspended her for six months, five of which were suspended. This means that she is now eligible for this weekend's World Cup competitions in Hochfilzen, Austria – and the federation has chosen to exclude her.
Teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, who Simon stole from, is also selected.
The Julia Simon case is over and I don't want to comment on it. I focus, as I have in recent years, on my own performance, my career, my family and my daughter. That comes first, Braisaz-Bouchet said after the start of the season in Östersund to TT.
The competitions in Hochfilzen begin on Friday with sprints.
