Julia Simon of France openly discussed her menstrual cycle following her victory in Friday’s mass start event in Kontiolahti.
Julia Simon is quickly adjusting to life after Olympic glory. Following a dominant performance at the Milan Games where she secured three Olympic titles in Anterselva, the French biathlete continued her winning ways with a victory in the Kontiolahti mass start. The win was largely built on her impressive shooting, where she hit 19 of 20 targets.
The triple Olympic champion admitted she didn’t have her best legs during the race, offering a candid explanation afterward. “I am on the first day of my period and, when you are a woman, you know very well that We find demanding moments,” she revealed to reporters.
This level of openness is becoming increasingly common in women’s sports. However, Simon believes the topic of menstruation should no longer be taboo. “We necessitate to break the taboos. Mental state fluctuates during these times, it affects our weight. My body sort of reached its limit, and it made that clear to me with this gain, without me changing my diet,” she shared last spring when discussing a difficult start to the season.
“It’s really difficult and scary”
“Hormonal cycles play a role in our schedule: blood loss, stress… All of this means that a female athlete is different to manage than a male athlete,” she continued. “I’m fortunate to have coaches who are open to the question, and over time, everything falls into place. You have to know how to listen to your body and periods don’t prevent performance.”
During the recent Winter Games, American figure skater Amber Glenn also broke the silence surrounding menstruation. “I’m on my period right now, and it’s really difficult, especially when you have to wear these kinds of outfits and have to perform,” she said to France Télévisions, adding: “It’s hard and no one talks about it. It’s really difficult and scary, and you’re overwhelmed. It’s something that isn’t talked about much when it comes to female athletes, but it should be a topic of discussion.”
