Julia Simon’s Olympic Silver Amidst Credit Card Fraud Scrutiny

MILAN-CORTINA (Azat TV) – French biathlete Julia Simon secured a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, marking her fourth medal at these Games. However, her athletic triumph has been overshadowed by resurfacing controversy surrounding her October 2025 conviction for credit card theft and fraud, a matter brought back into the public eye by pointed remarks from Belgian Olympian Tineke den Dulk.

Simon’s latest achievement came in the Women’s 12.5 km Mass Start event, where she finished second to her compatriot Oceane Michelon, who claimed the gold. Michelon, 23, secured her first-ever Olympic victory in a challenging race marked by heavy snowfall, overcoming two penalties to finish with a time of 37:18.1. Simon, with one penalty, skied strongly to earn her silver, adding to her impressive medal tally at the Milan-Cortina Games.

Belgian Olympian’s Pointed Remarks Reignite Julia Simon Scandal

The spotlight on Simon’s past conduct was intensified by Belgian short-track speed skater Tineke den Dulk. After winning a bronze medal in the mixed relay on February 10, den Dulk took to Instagram to celebrate her success. Her post, however, contained an unmistakable jab at fellow athletes, stating, “By the way, I have never cheated anyone,” and explicitly adding, “I have never stolen a credit card either.” These comments, widely interpreted as a direct reference to Julia Simon’s conviction, immediately reignited discussions about the French biathlete’s legal troubles.

Den Dulk’s remarks also appeared to allude to Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid, who publicly confessed to infidelity shortly after winning a bronze medal in an individual event at the same Games. Laegreid, who secured five medals in total (three silver, two bronze) during the 2026 Olympics, expressed remorse for betraying his partner. While den Dulk’s post touched upon broader issues of integrity in sports, her specific mention of credit card theft focused public attention squarely back on Simon.

Julia Simon’s Past Conviction and Request for Privacy

Julia Simon’s legal troubles became public knowledge following her conviction in October 2025 for credit card theft and fraud. The details of the conviction were not immediately clear, but the ruling marked a significant blemish on the career of an otherwise decorated athlete. Since the conviction, Simon has reportedly sought to distance herself from the scandal, urging media outlets to ‘leave her in peace’ as she focused on her athletic career.

Despite the legal setback, Simon has continued to perform at an elite level, demonstrating remarkable resilience on the world stage. Her performance at the Milan-Cortina Games, culminating in four medals, underscores her talent and competitive drive. However, the recent comments from Tineke den Dulk highlight the persistent challenge athletes face in moving past controversies, especially when their peers choose to publicly address such issues.

Athletic Achievement Amidst Public Scrutiny

The situation surrounding Julia Simon, Tineke den Dulk, and Sturla Holm Laegreid illustrates the intense scrutiny modern athletes face, both for their on-field performance and their off-field conduct. Social media platforms have become a direct conduit for athletes to express themselves, but also a forum where personal integrity can be publicly questioned and past transgressions revisited. For Simon, her continued success at the highest level of sport now unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing public and peer commentary regarding her conviction.

The juxtaposition of Julia Simon’s Olympic triumphs with the lingering shadow of her credit card fraud conviction, amplified by fellow athletes’ public remarks, underscores the complex and often unforgiving landscape of public perception in elite sports, where past actions can persistently impact present achievements and reputation.