Sounkamba Sylla Hijab Paris Olympics 2024: The Paris Olympic Games have not even been inaugurated yet and controversies have already started to arise. First the Argentina vs Morocco football match became the center of discussion and now a French female athlete has become a victim of discrimination for wearing a hijab. French runner Soonkamba Sila has said that she is being prevented from participating in the opening ceremony on Friday. The French Olympic Committee says that it is investigating the matter and a solution will be found soon.
26-year-old Soonkamba Sila is a member of the French women’s and mixed team participating in the 400-meter race. She expressed her objection to not being allowed entry into the opening ceremony and said, “I have been selected for the Olympics, these games are being held in my country, but I cannot participate in the opening ceremony just because I wear a hijab.” Last Wednesday, French Olympic Committee President David Lappartient said that French athletes are bound by the secular principle, which applies to people working in all public sectors in the country. Under this principle, wearing a hijab is prohibited.
Talks are ongoing to find a solution
David Lappartient said that talks are going on with Sila to resolve this issue. A solution will be found that does not hurt the secularism of French athletes and Sila’s personal views can also be respected. Let us tell you that many French athletes participating in the Olympics have also expressed their support for Sila on the social media post made by her. Let us tell you that Sila has participated in many big events wearing hijab even before this. No objection was raised to her wearing hijab in the 2022 and 2023 World Athletic Championships and the World Relays held in May 2024.
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