Olympic Refugee Team breaker Manizha Talash, who fled Afghanistan to live in Spain, was disqualified from the breaking competition after she wore a cape saying “Free Afghan Women,” the World DanceSport Federation told reporters yesterday.
B-girl Talash, 21, unveiled the blue top bearing the slogan on Friday just before the first duel of the whole competition, against India Sardjoe of the Netherlands.
“Refugee athlete B-girl Talash ... was disqualified for displaying a political slogan on her attire in violation of Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter,” the association said in a statement.
Photo: AP
That rule states that “no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
Born in Kabul, under Taliban control since 2021, Talash fled the country to live in Spain with her two brothers.
Before arriving in Spain, she spent a year in hiding in Pakistan because she did not have a passport.
“I didn’t leave Afghanistan because I’m afraid of the Taliban or because I can’t live in Afghanistan,” she told reporters before the competition.
“I left because I want to do what I can for the girls in Afghanistan, for my life, my future, for everyone,” she added.
In Kabul, she discovered breaking online and joined a local club, where she was the only female.
Despite the risks — the troupe was forced to switch practice venues after receiving death threats — she was determined to pursue her passion.
“I took the risk of becoming a target. I have fear in my heart but I won’t give up,” she told reporters in 2021.
Japan’s Ami won the gold later on Friday.
Ami, whose legal name is Ami Yuasa, won all three rounds in a battle against b-girl Nicka (Dominika Banevic) from Lithuania to clinch the gold, at Place de la Concorde.
In the B-Boys round robin, Taiwan’s Quake (Sun Chen) was to compete in Group D against Billy of Morocco, Kazakhstan’s Amir and Menno of the Netherlands after press time last night.
Quake was born on Sept. 21, 1999, the same day as the 921 Earthquake.
Additional reporting by staff writer and AP
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