Ethiopian-Dutch long-distance runner Sifan Hassan has won the internet after she defied France’s regressive ban on the hijab by accepting her gold medal during the final medal ceremony, while wearing a hijab.
The Ethiopian marathon runner secured the gold medal at the women’s marathon held on Sunday.
Pictures from the medal ceremony went viral, where Hassan was seen posing with her gold medal while wearing a hijab. Social media users praised the superstar for challenging the regressive ban on the hijab.
sifan hassan wearing her hijab at the closing ceremony as she gets the gold for winning the women’s marathon. in france.. where they’ve banned the hijab… my queen 🫂🥇 pic.twitter.com/THrV4fTov7
— L 🧸 (@vvvmiserable) August 11, 2024
After France banned it, Sifan Hassan receives the final gold medal of #Paris2024 wearing the hijab in front of a sold-out Stade de France. 🥇
Iconic woman. 🧕 pic.twitter.com/hOU5FeIJ7E
— Dean Ammi (@AlgerianFooty) August 11, 2024
In September 2023, France attracted international outrage after the Minister of Sports Amelia Oudea-Castera announced that athletes will not be allowed to wear the hijab while competing, to align with the country’s rules against displaying religious symbols at sports events.
The French minister later defended the rule saying athletes could wear the hijab outside of their competition and in the Olympic village.
