Since it was announced that the Olympics would be taking place in Paris, France has come under heavy fire for various issues surrounding the upcoming games, including the unsafe and unclean waters of the River Seine and the participation of Israel.
However, the biggest controversy is their decision to ban French athletes who wear the hijab from competing in the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The Onslaught That France Received
From the moment that the decision was made, a spark was charged across the world as many spoke up against the ban:
Athletes Who Spoke Up
Basketball player Hélène Bâ, co-founder of Basket pour Toutes, completely demolished the decision, calling it a “shameful moment” for France.
Riled up Actors
Indian actor, model, and influencer Bushra Shaikh took to Twitter to blast the decision. She posted a lengthy video on X condemning the decision, calling it “a direct breach of international human rights and exposes the discriminatory hypocrisy of the French authorities.”
International Organizations Were Fired up
Coming in hot, the global movement campaigning against the abuse of human rights, known as Amnesty International, didn’t just speak up against the ban but also released a lengthy report.
Amnesty International criticized the French government’s decision to ban female athletes who wear the hijab from competing in the games. The report emphasized how these types of exclusionary policies “cause humiliation, trauma and fear” among Muslim women and girls and breach international human rights laws.
In the report, they also mentioned how the IOC ignored a letter sent by members of the Sport & Rights Alliance and Basket Pour Toutes calling on sporting authorities in France to overturn all bans on athletes wearing the hijab in French sport.
What About The Other Side Of The Coin?
Beyond the attacks, many did support the ban, with French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera citing France’s strict separation of religion and state. That separation enforces complete neutrality in public services and a ban on the hijab that extends beyond the Olympics to other sports, including football, basketball, and volleyball.
Seeing how the decision caused a ripple effect of both anger and support, it is unknown whether it will change in the future. What is known so far is that French athletes wearing the hijab will not take part in the Paris Olympics.