France Bans Female Athletes From Wearing Hijab At The 2024 Olympics

Illustration of the use of headscarf in sports. (Instagram/@zahralari)

JAKARTA - The French government has announced a ban on wearing the hijab to its female athletes who will appear in the 2024 Olympics. France will host the 2024 Olympics from July 26 to August 11.

The statement on the ban on the use of the hijab was conveyed by the French Sports Minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, on the grounds of supporting the strict-implemented secularism regime in the field of sports.

"We agree with the recent judicial system decision also clearly disclosed by the Prime Minister, supporting strict secularism in sports," Oudea-Castera was quoted as saying by France 3, Wednesday, September 27.

"This means that the prohibition of all forms of da'wah and neutrality of the public sector. This means that members of our delegation, in our sports team, will not wear headscarves," he continued.

The ban comes amid a series of regulations in France banning any religious clothing in public institutions. This includes government offices, schools, and universities as part of the country's forced laicite ideology or secularism.

The regulation in question refers to a law made last June, to prohibit the use of the hijab in football matches.

Under the law, all French athletes will be banned from wearing the hijab when competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"The French team is subject to the principle of public service neutrality, since they were elected to appear in all national and international competitions," the French Ministry of Sports wrote.

"Therefore, a person should not wear a hijab (or other accessories or clothes that show religious affiliation) when representing France in national or international sports competitions," the statement continued.

As for athletes from other countries, the French government handed over to their respective international sports federations, under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).