Paris Olympics good for halal food but not for hijab

Paris 2024 has set a new standard in Olympic catering, delighting Muslim athletes with an exceptional range of halal food.

The Games featured a culinary diversity unprecedented in Olympic history, with 36 Muslim-majority nations competing and a halal menu served to thousands daily.

Two massive Olympic Village venues catered to 3,800 guests, offering 40,000 meals each day with options including halal, gluten-free, and lactose-free dishes.

Chefs crafted more than 550 recipes across four culinary themes: French, world, Asian, and African-Caribbean.

However, France, which accommodates halal food, did not allow French athletes to wear hijab.

The last few decades have seen the country targeting religious visibility, especially when it comes to Muslims. 

As the Paris Games placed France in the world’s spotlight, the hijab ban enforced on the French national Olympics team did not play well on the international stage. 

Problems arose even before the opening ceremony when it was reported that French Olympic sprinter Sounkamba Sylla would not be permitted to participate because of her hijab.  

The lasting image from these games, in the face of France’s bans on hijab and religious clothing, is that of Sifan Hassan, a Dutch middle and long distance runner.

She received the Olympic gold medal on the last day of the games. 

Hassan chose to wear a maroon hijab with her bright orange tracksuit, creating a striking image and statement in France.