World Champion Arrested for Fraud: Scandal Rocks Sports Community

French skeleton racer Julia Simon received a three-month suspended prison sentence and a €15,000 fine for credit card fraud and theft, putting her participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in serious doubt. The 2023 World Cup winner, who was expected to be France's top medal contender in Milan-Cortina, admitted to all charges in court.

Simon appeared before a criminal court in Albertville where she confessed to using stolen credit cards belonging to her teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and the team's physiotherapist. She apologized to both victims during the hearing.

"I'm sorry. I can't explain my behavior. I had to work with a psychiatrist to understand it and recover from it," Simon told the court, according to French media reports.

The case marks a dramatic reversal for the 29-year-old athlete, who initially denied any wrongdoing when the allegations first surfaced in 2023. At that time, she claimed her identity had been stolen and even filed a complaint saying someone else had used her name without permission.

Prosecutors detailed two separate fraud incidents where Simon used the victims' bank cards to make unauthorized purchases. The crimes have sent shockwaves through French skeleton sports just weeks before the Milan-Cortina Olympics begin on February 6.

The French Ski Federation said its disciplinary committee will meet "as soon as possible" to review Simon's case. This internal review could result in additional sanctions that might formally end her Olympic hopes.

Simon has won ten gold medals at world championships throughout her career, making her one of France's most successful skeleton athletes. Her legal troubles now threaten to derail what many expected would be a strong French showing in the sport at the upcoming Winter Games.

The timing couldn't be worse for the French Olympic team, which was counting on Simon's experience and track record to deliver medals on home soil. With the games less than two months away, finding a replacement with similar competitive credentials will be nearly impossible.