Manizah Tarash, an Afghan breakdancer who is part of the Refugee Olympic Team in Paris, was disqualified during the preliminary competition on Friday after writing the words “Liberate Afghan Women” on her cape during her breakdancing routine.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) bans political slogans on the stadiums and podiums.
Tarash, 21, was born in Afghanistan but fled the war-torn country in 2021 and now lives in Spain.
#ManizataRush Disqualified from wearing #FreeAfghanWomen in @parisolympicss.
An honorable defeat is better than a dishonorable victory, that’s for sure @Olympic Spirit?https://t.co/6kzaDMtnLQ
— Michael McCarthy Flynn (@mimccarthyflynn) August 10, 2024
Tarrasch then lost to India Thirdjaw of the Netherlands.
World DanceSport announced Talash’s disqualification in an official statement, saying she was “disqualified because she had political slogans on her costume.”
Afghanistan will have three men and three women competing in the Olympics. The Olympic Refugee Team will include a total of 37 athletes.
Reuters contributed to this report.
