Olympic Breaking athlete disqualified over her ‘political’ outfit seconds into her routine – as she claims she ‘wanted to show people what is possible’
- Talash, whose real name is Manizha Talas, is part of the refugee team at the Olympic Games
- Talash competed in the very first breakdance event of the Paris Games
- But she was disqualified after sharing a political message during her routine
An Afghan breakdancer was disqualified from the Olympic Games on Friday after making a political statement for women’s rights in her home country.
Talash, whose real name is Manizha Talas, took part in the Olympic premiere of the dance sport.
The 21-year-old is joining the refugee team in Paris after fleeing her home country in August 2021 following the Taliban’s return to power. She is doing the same with Talash, who is originally from Kabul and has settled in Spain with her 12-year-old brother.
And seconds into her performance on Friday, Talash took off her sweater to reveal a blue cape that read “Free Afghan Women.”
Talash received loud applause from the crowd at Urban Park in Paris and later explained why she made this powerful statement.
Afghan breakdancer Talash was disqualified from the Paris Olympics on Friday after making a political statement for women’s rights in her home country within seconds of her performance.
Talash fled Afghanistan when the Taliban came back to power and is now with the refugee team
After she started her performance, she revealed a cape that read ‘Free Afghan Women’
“I wanted to show people what’s possible,” she said.
However, the 21-year-old’s actions landed her in trouble with the officials, and she was subsequently disqualified for what the World DanceSport Federation deemed to be “displaying a political slogan.”
The rules prohibit athletes from expressing political messages during 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 qualifying phase of the competition at the time of disqualification, is one of 37 athletes competing for the refugee team in Paris.
She previously spoke candidly about the death threats she received 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 raided the homes of female athletes.
Talash has since moved to Spain with her 12-year-old brother after receiving death threats
Her actions got her into trouble, with Talash being disqualified for ‘displaying a political slogan’
These measures meant that Talash’s breakdance club had to close with a heavy heart.
Talash’s powerful statement came on the day breakdancing made its Olympic debut, when the discipline was added to the Games in Paris.
However, it has not yet been included in the original sports programme for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.