France's decision to ban the hijab (a headscarf won by Muslim women) for their athletes competing at the Paris Olympics 2024 has drawn a lot of criticism from several quarters already. The host nation of this year's Summer Olympic Games earlier imposed the hijab ban on its athletes, stating this was done to enforce "laïcité ” which loosely means 'secularism'. As a result of this hijab ban, French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla said that she could miss the Paris Olympics 2024 ceremony because of her headscarf. The Paris Olympic Games 2024 opening ceremony is set to take place along the Seine river. France Bans Its Women Muslim Athletes from Wearing Hijab in Paris Olympics 2024, IOC Clarifies No Restrictions on Other Country Athletes.

The 26-year-old, in an Instagram post, shared her thoughts after she was left dejected. "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. Sylla is set to compete at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris as part of France's 400m women's and mixed relay teams. French Olympic Committee President David Lappartient had earlier stated that the nation's athletes have to follow the principles of secularism imposed by the French government, which is applicable to all public sector workers in France. Paris Olympics 2024: French Police Beef Up Security After Miscreants Try To Snatch Bags From Journalists.

The French Olympic Committee, however, stated that they are looking to find a solution which allows Sylla to attend the Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony while following the nation's securalism laws at the same time. "I have no doubt that a solution can be found. We hope that everyone can take part in the opening ceremony," Lappartient said, as quoted by ABC News.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 25, 2024 07:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).