LONDON: France’s ban on religious headwear in sport has continued to draw criticism as the Olympic Games put the spotlight on Paris.
The country’s secular constitution underpins the ban, which prohibits religious symbols and attire in public institutions.
But it caused controversy ahead of the international sporting event — which draws together athletes from many religious backgrounds from all over the world — with French athletes forbidden from displaying symbols of faith.
Though secular, France has a long Christian tradition, and is home to Europe’s largest Muslim community.
Australian boxer Tina Rahimi called the ban on French athletes wearing the hijab “sad.”
Rahimi told Reuters: “As proud as I am to be here, I think in my heart I feel sad that I’m able to be here with my hijab and the other French athletes and people aren’t.
“I still feel for the French athletes and I just hope that it can be overturned for them and they can participate and every woman can feel free in how they want to dress.
“It means a lot to me to be here as a representation of my faith, and to display to other women out there, in particular hijabi women, that they can participate in sport and feel welcome.
“I think that’s really, really important. That’s what everyone wants to feel; they want to go somewhere and feel like they’re included and they’re not being discriminated against.”
French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla, a practicing Muslim, said wearing a headscarf would have prevented her appearing in the opening ceremony in Paris on Friday. In the end, the French Olympic Committee said Sylla agreed to wear a cap instead.
Amelie Oudea-Castera, French minister for sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said of the Sylla situation: “Our citizens expect us to follow these principles of secularism, but we also need to be inventive about solutions to make everyone feel good.”
David Lappartient, president of the French Olympic Committee, said French athletes were “taking part in a public service mission and in this respect (are) obliged to observe secularism.”
