PARIS: France’s government and Olympics organizers are seeking a creative solution to allow Muslim French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla to wear her hijab at the opening ceremony while still complying with the country’s controversial secularism laws, they said on Wednesday.
Sylla, a member of France’s 400-meter relay team, expressed her frustration on social media, stating that her hijab would prevent her from participating in the highly anticipated opening ceremony along the Seine River on Friday.
“You are selected for the Olympic Games, organized in your country, but you can’t take part in the opening ceremony because you wear a scarf on your head,” Sylla posted on her Instagram account.
France, home to Europe’s largest Muslim minority, implements controversial secularism laws that prohibit the wearing of religious symbols and clothing in public institutions by state employees and school pupils. This stance has been a point of contention, with critics arguing it effectively discriminates against Muslims.
Amelia Oudea-Castera, France’s minister for sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, acknowledged the need to balance secularism with inclusivity, stating on Wednesday that efforts were underway to find a solution that respects both Sylla’s religious expression and France’s legal framework.
“Our citizens expect us to follow these principles of secularism, but we also need to be inventive about solutions to make everyone feel good,” Oudea-Castera emphasized.
David Lappartient, president of the French Olympic Committee, underscored the team’s obligation to adhere to secularism principles in their public service role, while recognizing the challenge of this approach being perceived differently in other countries.
Despite the stringent national regulations, foreign athletes are not bound by France’s secularism laws, allowing them to freely express their religious beliefs during Olympic events.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) itself does not impose restrictions on religious head coverings.
Reports have suggested that Sylla might consider wearing a cap instead of her hijab during the opening ceremony, potentially offering a compromise that adheres to both her personal beliefs and French regulations.
Criticism of France’s stance on the hijab for athletes has been ongoing, with human rights groups and international bodies questioning the fairness and inclusivity of the country’s approach. Last year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concerns over the imposition of clothing choices on women, stressing the importance of respecting individual freedoms.
