Sifan Hassan wears hijab on Olympic podium after record-breaking marathon win
Paris: Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands set an Olympic record in the women’s marathon, the final track and field event of the Paris Games, with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds. Her performance, especially in the last 250 meters, secured her the gold medal.
However, her victory was marked by more than just her athletic prowess. Hassan accepted her gold medal during the final podium ceremony at the Olympics 2024 wearing a hijab. This act held particular significance as it occurred against the backdrop of France’s controversial decision to ban France's female athletes from wearing hijabs during the competition.
The sight of Hassan receiving her medal while wearing her hijab resonated globally, drawing widespread applause from fans.
Social media erupted with support, praising her courage in standing against the ban.
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Many users highlighted the contrast between her victory and France’s policy, calling it a powerful statement against the country’s stance on religious attire.
Criticism of France’s decision has been extensive, with the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation and Amnesty International both arguing that the ban contradicts the Olympics' values of equality, inclusion, and respect for cultural diversity. Amnesty International had expressed these concerns just a week before the Games began.
Hassan’s triumph in the marathon caps a remarkable journey. A former Ethiopian asylum-seeker, she won three long-distance running medals in just six days, including a bronze in both the 10,000m and 5,000m events. Her achievement makes her the first athlete since Emil Zatopek in 1952 to medal in all three distance events at a single Games.
Hassan's legacy was already significant before these Games. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she won gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, as well as a bronze in the 1,500m, making her the first athlete to medal in both middle and long-distance events at the same Olympics. With her latest victory, she also became the only woman to win gold medals in all three long distance running events: 5,000m, 10,000m, and the marathon.
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Amit Shah reviews security along Indo-Pak border, airports with top officials
New Delhi (PTI): Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the prevailing situation along India's border with Pakistan and airports in the country amid the military conflict between the two countries, sources said.
The meeting came hours after the Border Security Force said it has foiled an infiltration bid from across the International Border in Jammu, killing at least seven terrorists and destroying a Pakistan Rangers post.
Apart from reviewing the security situation along the India-Pakistan border, Shah also took stock of the steps taken to beef up security at airports across the country, the sources said.
While the BSF guards the India-Pakistan border, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) protects the airports in the country, Metro networks and other vital installations.
Those who attended the meeting included Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Directors General of the BSF, CISF and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
There has been heightened tension between India and Pakistan following India's strike on multiple locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday and Pakistan's attempts to hit Indian military sites on Thursday, which were thwarted by the Indian armed forces.
