French athlete Sounkamba Sylla was nearly barred from participating in the Olympic opening ceremony last summer because she is Muslim and wears a veil. French athletes are prohibited from wearing any religious symbols during international competitions they participate in with the French national team, but shortly before the start of the Paris Games, the government warned that it would not allow symbols to be worn during the opening ceremony either. Sylla, a 4x400m relay runner, stood her ground. She was finally able to participate after reaching an agreement with the government: she wore a cap, the same one she later wore to compete in the Games.