Biathlon
Serious allegations: Biathlete accused of tampering with teammate’s rifle
November 12, 2025 / Krone.at
Austria’s Krone reports that France’s Jeanne Richard allegedly manipulated teammate Océane Michelon’s rifle just before a race late last season, a case said to have been handled internally within the French team. Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet reportedly caught Richard, who denies the claim; Swedish Olympic champion Björn Ferry condemned the act on SVT as one of the dirtiest things one can do in sport. The story follows another scandal in French biathlon, with Julia Simon recently receiving a suspended sentence and fine for fraud and theft, yet remaining eligible for the Olympics.
Report: New scandal in French women’s biathlon team — teammate allegedly tampered with rifle
November 11, 2025 / SVT Sport
French outlet Dicodusport reports that Jeanne Richard allegedly tried to secretly adjust teammate Océane Michelon's rifle before a race late last season, an act said to have been witnessed by Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet. Richard denies it, but Biathlon Live says the French federation confirmed and investigated the incident internally. SVT expert Björn Ferry condemned the alleged sabotage as one of the worst things you can do to a teammate, coming days after Julia Simon was suspended over the fraud case involving Braisaz‑Bouchet.
Biathlete Gro Njølstad Randby stunned by mono diagnosis: "Completely unreal"
November 11, 2025 / NRK Sport
Norwegian biathlete Gro Njølstad Randby, 23, was diagnosed with mononucleosis just as she was preparing for the new season, forcing at least a two‑month training stoppage and ruling her out of the season start. Her partner, national team biathlete Martin Uldal, recognized the symptoms and urged testing; both, along with NRK expert Marte Olsbu Røiseland, stress patience in her comeback. Randby still hopes, however faintly, to fight for a Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympic spot if recovery progresses perfectly after the New Year.
Setback for Franziska Preuß? Coach Mehringer: “Of course it wasn’t easy for her”
November 11, 2025 / SPORT1
In a SPORT1 video, German biathlon coach Kristian Mehringer comments on Franziska Preuß’s recent injury, acknowledging the situation has been difficult for her. He also discusses how Preuß will handle being a primary target for rivals once she returns, underscoring her importance to the DSV team.
Biathlon: After theft case — Julia Simon could face longer suspension
November 10, 2025 / SVT Sport
The IBU’s Biathlon Integrity Unit (BIU) is reviewing Julia Simon’s case after the French federation imposed a one‑month suspension, following earlier time already served, for her role in a fraud/theft affair involving teammate Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet. BIU will take an independent decision, which could extend her ban and determine her eligibility for the Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympics. Simon, a 10‑time world champion who won four golds at last winter’s Worlds in Switzerland, will miss the Östersund World Cup opener and will not appeal the French decision.
Biathlon: Julia Simon suspended for one month after theft case – still eligible for the Olympics
November 07, 2025 / SVT Sport
The French Ski Federation has suspended biathlon star Julia Simon for one month following her October conviction for theft and fraud against teammate Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet. She will miss the World Cup opener in Östersund but could return in Hochfilzen and remains eligible for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Simon must also pay SEK 330,000 to the federation, partly suspended; her court sentence included a three‑month suspended prison term and fines.
Biathlon: Snow shortage threatens Swedish season opener in Idre — “Tough situation”
November 07, 2025 / SVT Sport
A week before Sweden’s biathlon season opener in Idre, organizers face a severe lack of snow. They plan to hold two sprint races instead of a sprint and short individual, using time penalties instead of a penalty loop. Head coach Johannes Lukas says the team successfully ran a wet, shortened test race, while SVT expert Mona Brorsson suggests Östersund as a backup venue, though moving would be demanding for non‑Swedish teams’ logistics.
Julia Simon suspended for one month after conviction — still eligible for the 2026 Olympics
November 07, 2025 / Sportschau
France’s biathlon world champion Julia Simon has received a six‑month ban from competitions and team trainings, with five months suspended, following her conviction for theft and credit card fraud. The ban, effective 7 November, sidelines her from the Östersund World Cup opener but allows her to return by the Hochfilzen round, and does not affect her eligibility for Milan–Cortina 2026. She was also fined €30,000 (half suspended); both she and the federation may appeal within seven days.
Biathlon: Norwegians shrug off Swedish jab ahead of Olympic season
November 03, 2025 / NRK Sport
Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson predicted a tougher winter for Norway with the Bø brothers absent, but world champion Endre Strømsheim countered that he fears the fight within Norway’s deep team more than Swedish rivals. Strømsheim said the main pressure is earning one of only four Norwegian Olympic spots per race and noted Norway views France as a bigger threat than Sweden. NRK expert Marte Olsbu Røiseland expects Norway to remain strong even without Johannes and Tarjei Bø, with several established names and rising talents ready to contend.
Biathlon: Sebastian Samuelsson’s jab at Norway: “It’s going to be a really tough season for them”
November 03, 2025 / SVT Sport
Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson predicts Norway will struggle in the upcoming biathlon season after the retirement of brothers Johannes Thingnes Bø and Tarjei Bø. He suggests the loss of the star duo will increase pressure on the remaining Norwegian athletes and reduce Norway’s World Cup wins. Teammate Martin Ponsiluoma agrees that others will now face more scrutiny without Johannes absorbing most of the attention.
Biathlon: “For this time of year, that’s real luxury”
November 02, 2025 / Kronen Zeitung (krone.at)
Austria’s biathlon teams are in final preparations for the World Cup opener in Östersund on November 29, training on early-season snow in Vuokatti (FIN), Davos (SUI) and Italy. Despite mild temperatures, athletes enjoy a 5 km snow loop in Finland, while some, including veteran Simon Eder and Kristina Oberthaler, adjusted plans due to recent illness. The article lists training groups, venues, and athletes, noting upcoming internal qualification races in Obertilliach before the season starts.
Biathlon: Swedish stars react to Julia Simon’s sentence: “Not jealous”
October 30, 2025 / SVT Sport
Swedish biathletes respond after France’s Julia Simon received a suspended three‑month sentence and a €15,000 fine for theft and fraud. Elvira Öberg says she wouldn’t envy having to handle such a case inside a team. Simon admitted to stealing teammate Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet’s credit card in 2022; French media report she could face exclusion from the national team.