Incredible hijabs and bikini photo went viral at Olympics for all the right reasons

This year's Olympic Games has given us countless viral moments.

Snoop Dogg was papped in FULL equestrian attire, a triathlete vomited live on television, and Simone Biles' gold medal-winning gymnastics routines have been spreading on social media like wildfire ever since.

One of the most particularly poignant moments, however, was captured by cameramen attending the women's volleyball heats after it sparked a vital conversation about women's rights.

The poignant photo is vitally important when it comes to womens' rights of expression. (Thomas SAMSON / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt vs Spain

The game in question saw Egypt's team of athletes go head to head with sporting women from Spain.

Moments after the opposing teams made their way onto the sand-covered courts, however, viewers couldn't help but notice the juxtaposition in their Olympic uniforms.

Whilst the Spanish were seen in red bikinis, the Egyptian athletes donned modest hijabs, long black sleeved shirts and black ankle leggings.

The latter's team's attire sparked great interest amongst spectators after it was previously announced that Muslim athletes competing for France would be banned for wearing the traditionally religious garment, due to their 'secularism law'.

For those unfamiliar with the legislation, back in 2004, the French government placed into effect new law banning 'conspicuous' religious symbols being displayed in state schools and hospitals.

Athletes outside of France are thankfully permitted to wear their traditional garments. (THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Rokhaya Diallo previously noted for the Guardian: "The 2004 law was framed as a ban on all 'conspicuous' religious symbols, including large Christian crosses, [but] in practice it was targeted at expressions of Islam."

Thankfully, however, the Olympic restriction does not apply to other countries.

And being that Egypt is a majority Muslim country, the importance of their Olympic competitors feeling free to wear hijabs can be explained in the viral image.

In fact, the photo rightfully drew so much attention to the difference in appearances at the Olympic tournament that many people chimed in with their praise.

The response

One person wrote online: "Nice to see people representing their religion in the Olympics."

Another said: "Isn't it so great that women get to CHOOSE what they wear? whether they choose to wear hijabs or bikinis, isnt it awesome that the choice is THEIRS?"

Following the hotly-discussed volleyball match, Marwa Abdelhady and Doaa Elghobashy of Egypt's team spoke out on France's ban.

Members of the Egyptian team subsequently spoke out about the ban. (THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Abdelhady told Swedish publisher Expressen: "I want to play in my hijab, she wants to play in a bikini.

"Everything is OK, if you want to be naked or wear a hijab. Just respect all different cultures and religions."

"I don’t tell you to wear a hijab and you don’t tell me to wear a bikini. No one can tell me how to dress. It’s a free country, everyone should be allowed to do what they want."

Elghobashy also told CNN: “At the end of the day, it’s a sport and I’m not a model. I’m an athlete and people should focus more on my athleticism rather than my clothes.

"Just because I’m a hijabi doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t have the opportunity to play at the Olympics. I did this, I achieved it. I deserved it.”

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