Julia Simon had a lot on her heart. After finishing in 14th position in the sprint at Grand-Bornand this Thursday, at the start of the 3rd stage of the Biathlon World Cup, the winner of the big globe in 2023 presented herself to the press in the mixed zone.
Returning to competition after her one-month suspension decided by the French Ski Federation due to her conviction for theft and fraud against her French teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, the native of Albertville assured that her reintegration into the French group was going “rather well”, despite the heavy atmosphere described last week by Lou Jeanmonnot, second in the Grand-Bornand sprint.
Above all, Julia Simon took the opportunity to denounce the hateful messages received by Braisaz-Bouchet on social networks in recent days, including death threats against her daughter, undoubtedly linked to the controversy.
“Unbelievable that people are so aggressive and virulent”
“I know that Justine has collected a lot on social networks, I have collected too,” confided the 29-year-old biathlete. “And I find it incredible that people are so aggressive and virulent. No one has to go through this. We’re here to talk about sport, we do it very well, and that’s the best answer,” she said in front of the microphones, according to RMC Sport.
Last weekend, Braisaz-Bouchet broke the silence regarding the insults addressed to him on social networks. “It gave me chills to read certain hateful messages,” she admitted in the show Bartoli Timeon RMC. “It was a message written in French. The person used violent words towards my little girl. I don’t know the reason why (she had these words), I didn’t even ask him the question. »
“This France group deserves serenity”
“I receive a lot of insults in relation to the affair, to what happened,” detailed the Olympic champion. “In a lot of people’s minds, I was really the troublemaker trying to frame the other person (Julia Simon). It lasted two and a half, three years in this tone, before the case was judged. »
Also questioned about the sporting aspect after the race this Thursday, Julia Simon expressed her desire to turn the page. “I want to make my own way, like everyone else. This France group deserves serenity and calm. That’s all we aspire to. »
