The ongoing debate regarding the wearing of the veil in sports has sparked intense discussions in France, especially among prominent athletes. This issue came to the forefront recently when multiple Olympic champion judoka Teddy Riner expressed his views on the topic, suggesting that France is wasting time on the issue of the veil and should prioritize discussions about equality instead.
Speaking on March 23, 2025, during the Bartoli Time show on RMC, Riner stated, “I believe that in France, we are wasting our time on things and above all we are using certain things to put the light where it should not be.” He suggested that the focus should shift towards equality rather than fixating on specific religious practices.
However, this stance did not sit well with former world champion boxer Mahyar Monshipour. In a vehement response on March 24, 2025, also on RMC, Monshipour admonished Riner, who weighs 140 kg, telling him to cshut upd if he does not understand the implications of allowing religious symbols in sports. Monshipour, originally from Iran, stated, cI say to those who do not know about the subject of the veil in sports to shut up; wake up, French people! Think a little. I was born in Iran, in a country that has tasted political Islam.d
His comments reflected a deeper concern about the intersection of religion and sports. Monshipour argues that permitting the veil in sports would lead to a slippery slope of increased religious influence within athletic contexts, thereby undermining women's freedoms. He remarked, cTeddy, please, if you don’t want your daughter, your cousin, or your sister to be insulted for wearing a swimsuit... then shut up, and talk about things you know.d
In support of this position, Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau also weighed in on the topic during an interview on March 25, 2025. He stated his radical disagreement with Riner, emphasizing that the veil symbolizes submission rather than freedom. cThe veil is not a symbol of freedom. It is a symbol of submission,d Retailleau declared. The French government has taken a firm stance by proposing a ban on religious symbols in sports, with the aim of preserving the integrity of sporting events from religious or political agendas.
This proposed law aligns with sentiments expressed by Monshipour and others who fear that the presence of religious symbols, including veils, could erode the principle of equality in sports. Monshipour argued passionately against this, claiming that such measures could serve to stifle freedom rather than promote inclusivity.
The illustrating example of this concern was seen in 2022, when a boxing gym was closed in Montauban because young girls were prohibited from practicing in shorts due to religious pressures. According to Monshipour, this incident embodies the dangers posed by allowing any religious ideologies to seep into sports.
The rising tensions show just how polarizing the issue of religious symbols in public life is in France today. Various political factions, including the Republicans and National Rally, support a strict stance against the veil, arguing that it represents a form of entryism that threatens secular spaces like sports.
Conversely, some argue for a more nuanced approach, with figures like Minister of Sports Marie Barsacq cautioning against conflating personal freedoms with religious practices. Barsacq noted that cLa laïcité ne se résume pas au fait de porter ou non le voiled, emphasizing that the essence of secularism in France cannot simply be reduced to the issue of veils.
As this debate intensifies, the sentiments of both sides reflect broader societal conflicts regarding religion, gender, and cultural identity in contemporary France. Public sentiment appears divided, with strong advocates on both ends of the spectrum highlighting the need for either consistent secularism or greater inclusion of diverse beliefs.
These discussions are unlikely to settle soon, as the political and social implications are deeply rooted within the fabric of French society. Athletes like Riner and Monshipour traverse a complex landscape where sports and politics intersect, drawing attention not only to personal views but also to significant national conversations about civil rights and liberties.
As additional voices join the fray, the reality of the veil in French sports remains a contentious topic—reflecting not just a disagreement over fabric but a fundamental clash over values that shape personal identity and freedom in the public realm.
This is a story still in development, as the outcomes of proposed legislation and the responses from the public and athletes alike continue to unfold. The conversations sparked by these recent remarks underscore the relevance of the discussion today and provide a glimpse into the ongoing struggles over integration, secularism, and identity in modern France.
