Biathlon: France win women’s relay amid team controversies: “Not important”

France’s women claimed victory in the biathlon relay in Östersund, a result that comes against the backdrop of multiple intra‑team controversies.

Jeanne Richard avoided addressing the latest scandal directly after the race, switching to French mid‑interview and stating: “These are rumors that have affected me. I have my opinion on the situation, but I’ll keep it to myself.”

Earlier in the year, French media reported that Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet caught Richard attempting to manipulate teammate Océane Michelon’s rifle during a World Cup event. The French skiing federation (which oversees biathlon) later confirmed a “breach of group rules,” resulting in a summer suspension.

Separately, the team has been dealing with the Julia Simon affair. For 2.5 years Braisaz‑Bouchet lived with suspicions that Simon had used her bank card for online purchases. Simon admitted to wrongdoing and earlier this fall received a three‑month suspended sentence in court and a federation suspension, which kept her out of the Östersund World Cup opener.

Despite the turbulence, France’s women—who have performed at a very high level for several seasons—won the relay. “You don’t need to be friends to perform,” Braisaz‑Bouchet said, adding that she prefers to focus on her performance, career, and family as the Olympic season approaches.