Controversy sparked ahead of the start of the Paris Olympics 2024 as the host nation of this year's Summer Olympic Games, France, earlier imposed a 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. Although after her discussions with the French Olympic Committee, an agreement has been reached and Sylla will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics wearing a cap to cover her hair. French Sprinter Sounkamba Sylla Reveals She Cannot Participate in Paris Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Due to France’s Hijab Ban for Athletes.

“In consultation with the French Athletics Federation, the French Ministry of Sports, Paris 2024, and Berluti, discussions were held with Sounkamba Sylla,” the French Olympic Committee said Thursday in a statement. “She was offered the possibility of wearing a cap during the parade, which she accepted. On Wednesday, the president of the French Olympic Committee had said that French Olympians are bound by the secular principles that apply to public sector workers in France separating state and church, which includes a ban on hijabs. Paris Olympics 2024: 100 Boats To Carry Over 10,000 Athletes Along Seine River During Parade at Opening Ceremony.

“We finally reached an agreement so that I could take part in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games,” the 26-year-old Sylla said. “I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your mobilization and support since the beginning.” A similar solution was found during the European Championships in Rome earlier this year. Sylla, who has competed with a black headscarf at several previous events, was asked to compete with a blue cap that had a sewn-on strip of fabric to cover her hair. The Paris Olympic Games 2024 opening ceremony is set to take place along the Seine River. Almost 100 boats carrying an estimated 10,500 athletes will float along the Seine during the parade.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 26, 2024 06:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).