Sounkamba Sylla and the wearing of the veil, episode 2. At the beginning of June, a few days before the start of the European Athletics Championships in Rome, a first controversy emerged with the rumor of the ousting of the member of the 4x400m relay if she maintained her intention to run while wearing the veil. Before the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), the Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra then firmly recalled that “a representative of a French team is subject to a requirement of neutrality which prevents the wearing of 'an ostensible religious sign' , and she had asked the French Athletics Federation (FFA) to intervene. At the end of intense discussions, a solution was found, or tinkered with, with the wearing of a cap as part of the official package provided by the FFA equipment supplier, decorated with a strip of hand-sewn fabric to completely conceal one's hair. End of the story ? Not really because the 26-year-old sprinter published this message on her social networks at the beginning of the week. “You are selected for the Olympic Games, organized in your country, but you cannot participate in the opening ceremony because you wear a scarf on your head” . The statement came with a clown emoji and caption, “The land of the free . ” In other words, despite his discreet nature, Sounkamba Sylla decided to put a coin back into the machine by expressing his legitimate fear of being banned from the opening ceremony of the Paris Games on Friday on the Seine. We want to be solid in respecting these principles but at the same time, we want to be in a caring, constructive and as pragmatic attitude as possible.Amélie Oudéa-Castéra Questioned this Wednesday on the subject, the president of the CNOSF David Lappartient first reaffirmed his position clearly and precisely: “We are totally aligned between the State and the CNOSF. We have discussed it regularly and we have the same principles. The French Olympic team contributes to a public service mission and as such, it is required to respect secularism. Maybe sometimes this is not understandable because it is not the case in other countries in the world, but this is what makes up our DNA. This allows us to respect each other’s beliefs.” And sitting at his side, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra followed suit: “It is not the will of the government, it is the legal framework established by our Constitution and the principles of constitutional values. We want to be solid in respecting these principles but at the same time, we want to be in a caring, constructive and as pragmatic attitude as possible. Our fellow citizens expect us to properly apply these principles of secularism, while being inventive so that everyone feels good.” However, once this firm speech was made, the two expressed their intention to find a solution. “I am optimistic because in Rome, we had exactly these exchanges ,” recalls the minister. “Including at my level personally with the athlete concerned, with the performance director, with leaders of the Athletics Federation, with David (Lappartient) and the CNOSF teams. We absolutely do not want to deprive the athlete of anything. But we must explain to her the ins and outs, as well as the form of exemplarity to which, as an athlete of the French team, she is required to respect. As we did in Rome with the adjustment of this cap which was respectful of our principles while being well planned in the materials offered by the equipment manufacturer, we must have the same logic and we are currently discussing it with LVMH and Berluti . We want Sounkamba Sylla to be able to participate in the opening ceremony. She understands our principles, our rules and that nothing is aimed specifically against her.” And Lappartient concludes: “We are working on this case and we are in discussion with her in order to find a solution which respects on the one hand the principle of secularism, the commitment and the charter that all the athletes have signed, including this athlete. And on the other hand, the legitimate wish and the personal convictions which are one's own which must be respected as best as possible. We need to find a solution that allows everyone to live with this.
The “Paquebot” crosses the Seine, crosses the most beautiful bridges of the capital, runs alongside the National Assembly, the Invalides or the Eiffel Tower, which sets the tone, with its five XXL Olympic rings. From the upper deck, we heard, this Monday, July 15, the hammers hitting the metal of the stands lined up on the platforms. The forklifts whir, little hands don't have time to turn around as the river giant passes, too busy with their race against time. The thousands of stands are still empty. This Friday, July 26, they will be packed, flooded with spectators giving the stars of the “Paquebot” a standing ovation. This river palace will transport the French athletes competing in the Olympic Games and a few dozen accompanying people for the opening ceremony. As protocol dictates, it is he, as carrier of the champions of the host country, who will close the historic parade. At a speed of 9 km/h, it will be the last of the 85 boats transporting the forces of the 206 delegations, between the Austerlitz and Jena bridges.
