CBC Sports’ Shireen Ahmed awarded 2nd place in international sports column writing
CBC Sports’s Senior Contributor Shireen Ahmed’s column on France’s ban on women wearing hijabs while playing sports was honored with second place for column writing at the AIPS Sports Media Awards in Morocco. The story focused on the controversial French ban that prohibits women athletes from wearing hijabs during sporting events.
In her award-winning piece, titled “French hijab ban in sports called a ‘shameful moment’ as it prepares to host Olympics,” Ahmed questioned France’s commitment to women’s rights as it restricts Muslim women from participating in sports while wearing hijabs. The column, published on July 18, 2024, just days before the Paris Olympics commenced, highlighted the contradiction between France’s actions and the International Olympic Committee’s human rights framework.
Ahmed’s column stood out among over 2,000 submissions from journalists in 136 countries that were considered for recognition at the AIPS annual gala. The prestigious award ceremony celebrated excellence in sports journalism across various categories, with Tianhao Shen of China’s Titan Sports clinching the top spot for his column “A United Euro 2024, an Ununited Europe.”
The image accompanying the article shows Shireen Ahmed accepting her award at the International Sports Press Association gala in Rabat, Morocco. The ceremony was graced by Nawal El Moutawakel, the first Arab-African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the 400-metre hurdles at the 1984 L.A. Olympics.
Ahmed’s thought-provoking column sheds light on the discriminatory practices that hinder Muslim women’s participation in sports and raises important questions about the intersection of religion, politics, and sports. The recognition of her work at the AIPS Sports Media Awards underscores the significance of amplifying diverse voices in sports journalism and advocating for inclusivity and equality in sports.
