France enforces a hijab ban on its female athletes representing the nation, raising concerns about double standards in religious expression in sports.
In France, athletes representing the country are not allowed to display religious symbols, a rule that also applies to top-level sports for Muslim female athletes. Critics argue that this policy reflects a double standard. Diaba Konaté, whose eyes light up when she talks about basketball, shares her story. “Basketball is almost two-thirds of my life! I grew up with it; I’m the only one in my family who plays sports at a high level. It really is my life; I love the feeling that sports give me,” says the 24-year-old. She played in the USA on a sports scholarship, where she started wearing the hijab without any issues, unlike in France.
She learned about the hijab ban in France somewhat by chance during a visit home when she was not allowed to participate in a match. “A few hours before the start, I was told: ‘Diaba, you can’t play because of your headscarf.’ I didn’t understand, as I had already played in junior national teams. I thought everyone knew me and would let me play,” she explains. “I still can’t quite put into words what I felt at that moment. But it was intense.”
France’s stance on religious neutrality
The hijab ban also applies to the Olympic Games for French athletes. David Lappartient, the president of the French National Olympic Committee, defended the decision on France Info. Although the Olympic Charter allows athletes to wear headscarves, Lappartient stated, “In France, we have the rules of laïcité.” The French delegation, in this context, assumes a public service role and is required to maintain religious neutrality, similar to police officers or teachers. “Whoever wears the national jersey represents France. And the State Council has decided that laïcité must be respected.”
Concerns over double standards
David Lappartient refers to a decision made by the highest French administrative court last summer, which remains controversial among experts. Some religious expressions are not even discussed, such as footballer Olivier Giroud’s visible tattoo of a Bible verse on his forearm during games. Sociologist Haïfa Tlili works closely with players affected by the hijab ban and sees clear unequal treatment of hijab-wearing women who have become more visible in society and successful in professional sports: “From my perspective, there is a double standard, and it is quite questionable.”
Laïcité means that anyone representing France and the French state must not express religious beliefs in that role. Experts argue that athletes can be seen as such representatives as soon as they wear the national jersey.
Broader implications of the hijab ban
The debate is not limited to the hijab ban at the Olympic Games, emphasizes Johanna Wagman from Amnesty International, responsible for issues of religious discrimination. “Our position criticizes the regulation at the Olympic Games, but it also addresses French sports federations in general. Some of them ban the hijab altogether in competitions, meaning many athletes are excluded from federation games if they wear a headscarf.”
The French Basketball Federation officially banned hijabs in all competitions since 2022. Athlete Diaba Konaté is uncertain about staying in France, despite wanting to play there. She plans to follow the Olympic Games and support her friends in the basketball team, but she notes that the event would be more enjoyable without the hijab ban.
