Izuchukwu OkosiIn the aftermath of France’s Sports Minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, banning the wearing of hijabs by the country’s contingent during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, athletes have been given permission to wear the piece of clothing at the athletes’ village without any restriction.
This was announced by the International Olympic Committee on Friday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Olympic body also said it needed to better understand the situation in France and had been in contact with the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF).
French Sports Minister, Oudea-Castera, had unequivocally stated on Sunday that French athletes would be barred from wearing a hijab during the Paris Games to respect principles of secularism.
“For the Olympic Village, the IOC rules apply,” an IOC spokesperson said. “There are no restrictions on wearing the hijab or any other religious or cultural attire.”
The vast majority of the approximately 10,000 athletes at Olympic Games reside in apartments in the Olympic village and share common spaces, including dining halls and recreational areas.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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