Teddy Riner’s call for Calm Amidst Veil Debate in Sports
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The Olympic champion urges for reasoned dialog as discussions intensify regarding the wearing of religious symbols in athletic competitions.
The Escalating Debate: Veil in Sports Sparks National Discussion
The discourse surrounding the wearing of the veil in sports has intensified, drawing in athletes, politicians, and the public. The debate gained further momentum following comments made by five-time French Olympic Judo Champion, Teddy Riner, on RMC’s Bartoli Time. Riner’s initial statements, emphasizing equality over religious focus, ignited a flurry of responses.
I believe that in France, we waste our time on things and above all we use certain things to put the light where it is not necessary. Let us think more of equality than to be on one and the same religion.Teddy Riner on RMC’s Bartoli time
These remarks triggered reactions from various figures, including former world boxing champion Mahyar Monshipour and Minister Bruno Retailleau, who voiced radical disagreement
, asserting that The veil is not the symbol of freedom, it is the symbol of submission.
This highlights the deeply divisive nature of the issue.
Riner’s Response: A Plea for neutrality and dialogue
In response to the escalating controversy, Teddy Riner took to social media platform X to advocate for calm and reasoned discussion. He emphasized the importance of maintaining sport as a neutral space, promoting unity and transcending differences.
Sport has always been a space for neutrality, surpassing oneself and sharing. It transcends differences and unites beyond beliefs, origins and opinions. As a high -level sportsman, I have always defended these values which make the beauty and the strength of the sport.Teddy Riner on X
Riner acknowledged the sensitivities surrounding the debate on banning the veil in sports, reiterating that sport should be a space where individuals can express themselves while adhering to rules and ethical standards. His revised stance reflects a more measured approach to the complex issue.
Avoiding Politicization: Sport as a Unifying Force
Riner explicitly stated that his message was not intended to be political and should not be exploited for partisan purposes. He emphasized his commitment to sport and its core values of respect, inclusion, and fraternity. He urged everyone to interpret his words in this spirit, highlighting sport as a universal language and a bridge between individuals.
whatever the outcome of this reflection, I call for calm, benevolence and dialogue. What unites us is stronger than what divides us. Let us keep in mind that sport is a universal language, a vector of cohesion and a bridge between individuals. As such, I want to specify that my message has no political target and must not be the subject of any recovery. My commitment is, and will remain, exclusively turned towards sport and its values of respect, inclusion and fraternity. I therefore invite everyone to hear my words in this spirit and not to instrumentalize them for partisan purposes.Teddy Riner on X
The debate occurs amidst broader discussions about religious expression and secularism in France. According to a 2024 study by the Pew Research Center, opinions on religious expression in public life vary substantially across different demographics in France, underscoring the complexity of the issue.