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STORY: :: This Olympian calls the ban on French athletes wearing the hijab "upsetting"

:: Paris, France

:: Yara Elsharkawy, Egyptian fencer

"It was upsetting because the whole world right now speaks about freedom of choice and they ask everyone to express themselves and everything. So when I saw this, I felt that why specifically this happens with hijab? It was very upsetting, to be honest."

:: Human Rights Watch says the law discriminates against Muslim athletes

:: August 6, 2024

:: Minky Worden, Director of Global Initiatives, Human Rights Watch

"But first of all it's a violation of the Olympic charter and we are here at the Olympics, and so you shouldn't be violating the Olympic Charter as the host nation. It's also a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of religion. Athletes shouldn't have to choose between their religion and the sport that they love and excel at. And then finally, it's a violation of women's rights because these are women who are being discriminated against and excluded from sport."

YARA ELSHARKAWY: "I'm proud because I'm showing that hijab is not a barrier, you can practice sport while wearing hijab. You can be Olympic athlete while wearing hijab and you can look good. You still take care of yourself, of how you look or how you tie your hijab. So, that's it."

The ban on French athletes wearing a hijab to compete at the Paris Olympics has been described to Reuters as "upsetting", "unjust" and a "violation of human rights" by athletes and Human Rights Watch.

French competitors are bound by secularist laws that stop them donning the Islamic headscarf, just as they forbid state workers and school pupils from wearing religious symbols and clothing in public institutions.

This was extended to France's Olympic athletes on grounds they were on a "public service mission," the government said.

Days before the Paris Olympics began, French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla was stuck in a row with her government over the right to wear a hijab at the opening ceremony. A last-gasp compromise was found - in the shape of a navy blue baseball cap hastily bought from a high street store.

Beyond the Olympics, French sports federations set their own rules: football, basketball and judo ban headcovers for competitions while rugby, handball and athletics allow it.