PARIS — French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla says she has been barred from Friday’s opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics because she wears a hijab, and the French Olympic Committee said it is working with her to find a solution that adheres to the team’s secular requirements for athletes.

Sylla, a 26-year-old member of France’s 400-meter women’s and mixed relay teams, shared her frustration on Instagram on Sunday.

Lappartient said discussions are underway with Sylla to find a solution that adheres to the French Olympic team's secular requirements{ai:summary}<p>In the shadow of the Paris Olympics, sprinter Sounkamba Sylla finds herself sidelined, her hijab a barrier to the opening ceremony. The French Olympic Committee scrambles to reconcile her faith with their secular mandate, a tension beneath the bright lights.</p><p>A dash of pride meets the cold hardness of rules. The games promise glory, yet for some, the cost is more than just medals. #society</p>

French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla says she’s barred from the Olympic opening ceremony due to her hijab

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