Report: New scandal in French women’s biathlon team — teammate allegedly tampered with rifle

Scandals continue to rock the French women’s biathlon team.

French media, including Dicodusport, report that Jeanne Richard allegedly tried to secretly adjust teammate Océane Michelon’s rifle before a competition at the end of last season, and was caught in the act by Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet. Both Richard and Michelon competed at the World Championships in Lenzerheide in February, with Michelon also part of the gold‑medal relay team.

Richard denies the allegation. However, according to Biathlon Live, the French biathlon federation itself confirmed that the incident occurred and conducted an internal investigation.

SVT expert and Olympic champion Björn Ferry reacted strongly: “It’s among the meanest things you can do. It’s like a cross‑country skier smearing glue on someone’s skis or loosening a binding. To manipulate a competitor’s equipment is very serious. If you do something like this to someone on your own team, I find it hard to see how you can remain on a national team at all.”

The report comes just days after the federation suspended Julia Simon following the fraud case involving her national teammate Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet, further intensifying tensions within the French women’s squad.