Afghan b-Girl Manizha Talash, a member of the refugee Olympic team at the Paris Games, was disqualified after displaying the words “Free Afghan Women” on her cape during her breaking routine in the competition’s pre-qualifiers on Friday.
Talash, who was born in Afghanistan before fleeing the country in 2021 and now lives in Spain, wore a light blue cape that had the phrase written on it with large white letters during her pre-qualifier loss to India Sardjoe of the Netherlands.
Political slogans and statements are banned on the field of play and on podiums at the Olympics, and breaking’s governing body later said the 21-year-old had been disqualified.
Talash was “disqualified for displaying a political slogan on her attire,” World DanceSport Federation said in a statement.
The Paris Games are the third Olympics where a team of refugees is taking part, with 37 athletes competing in 12 different sports.
Afghanistan is represented by a contingent of three women and three men, in a largely symbolic move by the International Olympic Committee as a message to the country, which under Taliban rule has restricted women’s and girls’ access to sports and gyms.
Both the head of Afghanistan’s national Olympic committee recognized by the IOC and its secretary general are currently in exile.
Reuters contributed to this report.
