Manizha Talash, an Afghan female athlete competing under the refugee team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been disqualified from the preliminary breakdance competition for displaying a protest banner that read “Free Afghan Women.”
The incident occurred during her match against a Dutch opponent on Friday. Under Olympic rules, political statements and slogans are prohibited within competition venues and at Olympic sites. As a result of her protest, the 21-year-old athlete was disqualified from further participation in the Games.
Talash, who lost to her opponent from the Netherlands, would not have advanced in the competition even without the disqualification.
A total of six athletes were representing Afghanistan at the Paris Olympics, though five, including Talash, competed as part of the refugee teams.
