Why has France banned hijab for its own athletes at Paris Olympics 2024?

The hijab ban for French athletes at Paris has received backlash for being against Olympic values.

The Paris Olympics 2024 has been involved in a controversy regarding the hijab ban on the French athletes. France will not be allowing their athletes to wear headscarves or any form of religious headgear during the summer games at Paris.

The ban has been enforced by the French government. French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera stated that the ban would be in effect for the Paris Olympics. These rules do not come under the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Athletes representing France are seen as civil servants thus they have to follow the national law. It prohibits the French athletes from wearing religious symbols, including the hijab, veil and headscarf.

The French athletes are allowed to wear religious headgear when they are in the Olympic villages but not during the competition. The ban will be active during the Paris Olympics as the government has been clear on its stand.

Also Read: Paris Olympics 2024: Full Schedule of all sports, dates, venues, live streaming details

What are the repercussions of hijab ban for French athletes at Paris Olympics 2024?

The Olympics has always been considered a secular and a diverse competition. Athletes from different regions embrace their culture while competing at the highest order. The hijab ban has been considered a breach of freedom of expression of their religion.

Activists are seeing the hijab ban as not only an act of religious oppression but a violation of human rights. Athletes in the past have used their voice and power during the Olympics to take a stand on national matters.

Several Feminists and activists have been advocating to reverse the hijab ban in France. Female athletes have even moved to other countries citing passion towards and their religious practices. Some of them have stopped taking part in competitions.

Helene Ba, a former basketball player, has founded the organization Basket Pour Toutes. She had taken a break from the sport a few years back to study law. In 2022, when she made her way back to the sport, the hijab ban was issued.

Ever since then, Ba and other athletes have joined hands in fighting against religious discrimination in France. The ban during the Paris Olympics has been termed against the Olympic values which are excellence, respect and friendship.

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