- Talash, whose real name is Manizha Talas, is part of the refugee Olympic team.
- Talash was competing in the first breakdancing event of the games in Paris.
- But she was disqualified after sharing a political message during her routine.
An Afghan breakdancer was disqualified from the Olympics on Friday after making a political statement in support of women’s rights in her home country.
Talash, whose real name is Manizha Talas, took part in the Olympic debut of this dance sport.
The 21-year-old is competing for the refugee team in Paris after fleeing her homeland following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, with Talash, who is originally from Kabul, since settling in Spain with her 12-year-old brother.
And seconds into her performance on Friday, Talash removed her sweater to reveal a blue cape emblazoned with the inscription “Free Afghan Women.”
Talash received a roar of approval from the crowd in Paris’s Urban Park and later explained why he had made such a powerful statement.
Afghan breakdancer Talash was disqualified from the Paris Olympics on Friday after making a political statement in support of women’s rights in her home country seconds into her performance.
Talash fled Afghanistan when the Taliban returned to power and is with the refugee team.
After starting her performance, she revealed a cape that read “Free Afghan Women.”
“I wanted to show people what’s possible,” he said.
However, the 21-year-old’s actions landed her in trouble with officials as she was subsequently disqualified for what the World Dance Sport Federation deemed as “displaying a political slogan.”
Rules prohibit athletes from making political statements at Olympic competitions, although the International Olympic Committee has relaxed these restrictions somewhat in recent years.
Talash, who had already been eliminated by Dutch B-girl India Sardjo in the preliminary qualifying stage of the competition at the time of the disqualification, is one of 37 athletes competing for the refugee team in Paris.
She previously told how she received death threats in Afghanistan before fleeing the country.
When the Taliban returned to power three years ago, they banned women from universities, public parks and sports, and also raided the homes of female athletes.
Talash has since settled in Spain with his 12-year-old brother after receiving death threats.
Her actions got her into trouble, and Talash was disqualified for “displaying a political slogan.”
These measures included the heartbreaking closure of the Talash breakdance club.
Talash’s powerful statement came on the day breakdancing made its Olympic debut, as the event was added to the games in Paris.
However, it has not been included in the initial sports programme for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.