Sounkamba Sylla, a 26-year-old French sprinter, has been prohibited from participating in the Paris Olympics' opening ceremonies because she wears a hijab. Sylla, who is a member of France's 400-meter women's and mixed team relays, expressed her frustration on social media last weekend.
Sounkamba Sylla, a 26-year-old French sprinter, has been prohibited from participating in the Paris Olympics' opening ceremonies because she wears a hijab. Sylla, who is a member of France's 400-meter women's and mixed team relays, expressed her frustration on social media last weekend.
"You are selected for the Olympics, organized in your country, but you can’t participate in the opening ceremony because you wear a headscarf," she wrote on Instagram, according to The Associated Press.
French Sprinter Denied Participation in Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Due to Hijab
Sylla's exclusion stems from France's secular laws, which prohibit the display of religious symbols in public spaces. French Olympic Committee President David Lappartient said French Olympians are ordered to follow these principles, which apply to public sector workers, including a ban on hijabs.
"It’s perhaps sometimes not understandable in other countries in the world, but it’s part of our DNA here in France," Lappartient said.
French Sprinter Denied Participation in Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Due to Hijab
Sylla routinely wears a hijab while competing. She has run with a black headscarf in several events, including the 2022 and 2023 world championships and the World Relays in May 2024.
Her exclusion from the opening ceremony has sparked controversy, with some people questioning the fairness of the decision. However, Lappartient said talks were underway to come to a solution that would allow Sylla to participate in the ceremonies in a way that respects her beliefs.
French Sprinter Denied Participation in Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Due to Hijab
"I have no doubt that a solution can be found," he said. "We hope that everyone can take part in the opening ceremony."
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not yet commented on the situation, but it has previously stated that it supports the right of athletes to express their religious beliefs.
In 2012, the IOC allowed Saudi Arabian runner Sarah Attar to compete in the London Olympics while wearing a hijab, making her the first female athlete from her country to compete in the Games.
The IOC's stance is based on its belief that sport is a universal human right and that all athletes should be able to compete on a level playing field, regardless of their religion, race, or gender.
It remains to be seen whether the IOC will intervene in Sylla's case, but her exclusion from the opening ceremony is a reminder of the challenges faced by Muslim athletes who wish to compete in international sporting events.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to challenge the ban on hijabs in sports. In 2018, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) lifted its ban on hijabs, and in 2021, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) allowed Muslim women to wear hijabs during matches.
Sylla's case is likely to bring further attention to the issue of religious expression in sports, and it will be interesting to see how the IOC and other sporting organizations respond.
