Dutch Marathon Runner Sifan Hassan Defiantly Wears Hijab To Collect Her Gold Medal At The Paris Olympics

Netherlands’ long-distance runner Sifan Hassan has received applause worldwide for wearing a hijab when collecting her gold medal at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. This was after France banned its athletes from wearing hijabs during the Olympic games. The 31-year-old stepped into the podium wearing a hijab and it is unclear whether her move was in reaction to France’s hijab rule.

The marathon events come last during the Olympic games, athletes collect their medals during the closing ceremony. Traditionally, medals for the men’s marathon are awarded during the closing ceremony, however, this year it was the women’s. The women’s marathon received special treatment at the closing ceremony in memory of the Women’s March on Versailles in 1789. 

Sifan Hassan was the winner in the women’s marathon. She broke the women’s Olympic marathon record by running 42km in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 55 seconds. At the podium, Sifan was joined by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, silver medalist, and Kenya’s Hellen Obiri, bronze medalist. Hassan had also won bronze in the 10,000m, and 5,000m at the 2024 Olympic Games. She is the first athlete to win a medal in three long-distance events at one Olympic Games.

I feel like I am dreaming. At the end, I thought this is just a 100m sprint. Come on, Sifan. One more. Just feel it, like someone who sprints 200m.

Sifan Hassan

Hassan wore a maroon hijab while receiving her gold medal, which caught the audience's attention considering France had banned its female athletes from wearing hijabs at the games. Viewers praised Hassan for making a ‘powerful’ statement.

France was highly criticized for barring their female athletes from wearing hijabs while at the Olympic Games. Amelie Oudea-Castera, French minister of sports announced in 2023 that athletes representing France in the 2024 Games should not wear hijab. This is per France's rules which don't allow the representation of religious symbols during sporting events. The UN human rights criticized this rilling and later the International Olympic Committee allowed the athletes to wear hijabs in the Olympic Village but not when competing.

Additionally, the Ismalimc Solidarity Sports Federations said the hijab rule does not promote inclusivity, equality, and cultural diversity contrary to what the Olympics stand for.