Paris Olympics 2024: Refugee Olympic Team Athlete Disqualified for ‘Free Afghan Women’ Protest

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, B-Girl Manizha Talash from the Refugee Olympic Team was disqualified after displaying a political message during her breaking routine. The 21-year-old Afghan athlete, who resides in Spain, wore a light blue cape with “Free Afghan Women” written in large white letters as she performed in the pre-qualifiers on Friday.

Talash’s message aimed to highlight the plight of women under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. However, her protest led to controversy when the World DanceSport Federation disqualified her for breaching Olympic regulations that prohibit political statements during competition.

“The disqualification was due to the display of a political slogan on her attire,” the World DanceSport Federation stated.

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Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghan women have faced severe restrictions, including the closure of girls’ high schools and bans on traveling without male guardians. Despite these issues, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has allowed Afghan athletes to compete under the Refugee Olympic Team, while no Taliban officials are accredited for the Paris Games.

In other Olympic news, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif claimed a historic victory in the women’s 66kg final, defeating Chinese world champion Yang Liu 5-0. Khelif’s win marked the first Olympic gold medal in boxing for a woman from Africa and the Arab world.

Khelif dominated the bout with a commanding lead from the first two rounds, despite Yang’s attempts to close the gap with her southpaw jab and sharp combinations. Khelif’s superior technique and relentless pressure secured her win, with all five judges scoring in her favor, leading to jubilant celebrations among her supporters.

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