Afghan Manizha Talash, who is competing in the Paris Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic Team, was banned from the breakdancing competition after wearing an abaya that read “Free Afghan Women,” the World Sports Federation said. Dance reported Saturday.
On Friday, Talash, 21, showed off her blue shirt adorned with the logo as she took on India Sardjo of the Netherlands in the qualifying round of the women’s dance competition at Place de la Concorde in Paris.
This is the first time that break dancing has been included in the Olympic Games, although it will be absent from the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
The World Federation said in a statement: “Breakdancer Talash was excluded from the refugee team… for displaying a political slogan on her clothing, in violation of Article 50 of the Olympic Charter.”
This law states that: “No type of political, religious or racist slogan or propaganda is allowed on Olympic sites or other sites or areas.”
