Athlete 'heartbroken' after being banned from 2024 Olympics for wearing a hijab

Organisers of the 2024 Paris Olympics have hailed this summer's Games as the first to achieve numerical gender parity on the field of play, but don’t expect Diaba Konate to be hailing their inclusivity. The French basketball player is unable to represent her country this month despite previously competing in the Youth Olympics.

The 24-year-old Muslim has been forbidden from being selected by the authorities for wearing a hijab.

In 2022, the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) introduced a controversial new regulation banning any kit "with a religious or political connotation" despite world governing body FIBA lifting its own ban in 2017.

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Konate was considered a rising star in her sport when she represented France at the 2018 Buenos Aires Summer Games at under-18 level. She then proceeded to enjoy a successful college career on a full scholarship from Idaho State University, later transferring to UC Irvine before returning to France last year.

However, she was duly left stunned after being told she would not be able to play in a 3x3 tournament due to the FFBB rule change. And in an interview with the BBC, Konate admitted she initially thought she had been the victim of a prank.

"I just couldn't believe it," she said. "It cannot happen to me. I thought we were family. Like, it's me guys, we used to play together, I'm part of you. I'm still the same person, nothing has changed. That really broke my heart."

The defensive guard began wearing the hijab during the Covid-19 pandemic, and took aim at the French authorities for being ‘hypocritical’ with their approach to human rights. "I went through a hard time and needed something that would give me hope,” she explained.

“I reflected on myself and my identity when everything was uncertain and I was feeling lonely. I was born Muslim so I wanted to learn more about my religion and eventually I found the answers to all of my questions. It's very hypocritical for France to call itself the country of freedom, of human rights, but at the same time not allowing Muslims or their citizens to show who they are."

In September last year, French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera confirmed that the hijab was banned for all French team members at the Olympics. The ruling was criticised by the UN human rights office and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The French Football Federation already had the same ban in place, despite FIFA lifting the same sanction a decade ago. And Amnesty International have been vociferously critical of the ruling, calling it a "violation of their human rights.”

Prior to the Games, the IOC confirmed that hijabs are allowed inside the athletes’ village. A spokesman said: “For the Olympic Village, the IOC rules apply. There are no restrictions on wearing the hijab or any other religious or cultural attire."