France’s 400-meter girls’s and blended relay groups athlete Sounkamba Sylla claimed that she has been banned from the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 on Friday as a result of she wears a hijab.
“You’re chosen for the Olympics, organized in your nation, however you’ll be able to’t take part within the opening ceremony since you put on a headband,” the 26-year-old wrote in her social media submit earlier within the week.
On Wednesday, David Lappartient, president of the French Olympic Committee, mentioned that French Olympians are certain by the secular ideas that apply to public sector employees in France, separating state and church, which features a ban on hijabs.
Sylla’s present state of affairs is as a result of France’s minister of sport mentioned athletes representing France can be prohibited from displaying non secular symbols throughout sporting occasions which included headscarves final September.
“It’s maybe generally not comprehensible in different nations on the earth, but it surely’s a part of our DNA right here in France,” Lappartient mentioned.
Lappartient mentioned discussions are underway with Sylla to discover a answer that adheres to the French Olympic staff’s secular necessities whereas additionally respecting the athlete’s “official want that her beliefs are revered.”
1000’s of athletes, together with some who put on a hijab, are arriving for the Paris Olympics, putting a global highlight on tensions in France over nationwide id and perceived discrimination towards Muslims.
International athletes should not affected by the secularism guidelines and the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) doesn’t have guidelines towards sporting non secular head coverings.
Maria Hurtado, spokeswoman for the U.N. excessive commissioner for human rights, criticised the French authorities in September final 12 months over its stance on the hijab for French athletes in the course of the Olympic Video games, saying that “nobody ought to impose on a lady what she must put on, or not put on”.
Le Parisien newspaper reported that Sylla would possibly take part within the Olympics opening ceremony sporting a cap.
With company inputs