Iran Press/Europe: “Women have the right to choose how they want to dress,” Rahimi, who took part in the Paris 2024 opening ceremony on Friday, wrote in a post on Instagram. “With or without hijab. I choose to wear the hijab as a part of my religion and I am proud to do so.
Rahimi is the first female Muslim boxer to represent Australia at the Olympics. The 28-year-old, from Bankstown in south-west Sydney, wears long sleeves and a hijab under a protective headgear in competition.
“You shouldn’t have to choose between your beliefs/religion or your sport,” added Rahimi. “This is what the French athletes are forced to do.”
France’s hijab ban only applies to French athletes competing at the Games – it does not apply to visiting competitors. The ban applies to sports including football, basketball, volleyball, and boxing, and covers all levels of competition, including amateur events.
“No matter how you look or dress, what your ethnicity is or what religion you follow,” Rahimi said in her post. “We all come together to achieve that one dream. To compete and to win. No one should be excluded. Discrimination is not welcome in sport, specifically in the Olympics and what it stands for.”
In June, a coalition of groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International wrote to the International Olympic Committee condemning the ban and urging IOC intervention.
More than 10,500 athletes from around the world will compete in 329 events in 32 sports games from July 26 to August.
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