Refugee breaker Manizha Talash, known as 'b-girl Talash', was disqualified from the first Olympic breaking competition for wearing a cape saying 'Free Afghan Women'.
Talash unvelieved the cape during her pre-qualifier battle against India Sardjoe, known as 'b-girl India', on Friday.
The 21-year-old Talash, originally from Afghanistan and representing the Olympic Refugee team, lost the pre-qualifier battle against Sardjoe and would not have advanced even if she hadn't been disqualified.
Political statements and slogans are banned on the field of play and on podiums at the Olympics.
World DanceSport Federation, the governing body for breaking at the Olympics, said she "was disqualified for displaying a political slogan on her attire".
Talash sought asylum in Spain after fleeing Taliban rule in her home country in 2021.
“I’m here because I want to reach my dream. Not because I’m scared,” she said before the Olympics after being granted asylum in Spain.
Her one-off pre-qualifier battle was added to the Paris program when the b-girl from Afghanistan missed registration for qualifying events.
The International Olympic Committee’s executive board invited her to participate after learning of her efforts to defy the strict rule of the Taliban in her home country.
