The French athletes have been forbidden from wearing a hijab to compete at the Paris Olympics. Competitors representing France are bound by secularist laws that stop them from donning the Islamic headscarf, just like 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.
The Egyptian fencer Yara El-Sharkawy who has been competing in a hijab said: 'The whole world now speaks about freedom of choice and they ask everyone to express themselves. So when I saw this, I asked why specifically does this happen with the hijab?' The Algerian fencer Saoussen Boudiaf, who used to compete for France, added: 'Before being hijab-wearing women we are human beings with hearts and feelings. And I don't think it's fair that we have to feel excluded for what I think are pointless reasons'.
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