Olympic breaker disqualified for signs of women's rights
At the Olympic debut of Breaking, an Afghan athlete makes a statement for women's rights in her homeland. This is followed by a harsh punishment. For political messages are prohibited for athletes at Olympic competitions.
The Afghan Breaker Talash was disqualified after her sign for women's rights in her homeland at the Olympic debut of dance sports. The 21-year-old had presented a light blue cloak with the inscription "Free Afghan Women" during her performance. The World DanceSport Federation considered this "displaying a political slogan" and disqualified the athlete. She had also already been eliminated in the preliminary round of the competition.
Talash, whose civilian name is Manizha Talas, fled her homeland after the Taliban takeover and is competing in Paris as a member of the refugee team. She faced off against the eventual fourth-place Dutch athlete India on the Place de la Concorde. The judges unanimously chose India. In Breaking, the so-called B-Girls compete against each other, dancing three short rounds each. At the end of each round, a jury evaluates based on five criteria. Whoever wins the most of the three rounds wins the battle.
Political messages are prohibited for athletes at Olympic competitions. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had modified rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter before the 2021 Tokyo Games. According to this, protests are allowed as long as the principles of Olympism are respected, it is not directed against people, countries, organizations, and/or their dignity, and does not disturb other athletes in their preparation.
"They would have executed or stoned me"
Talash fled to Pakistan with her then 12-year-old brother in August 2021 when Islamic fundamentalists took power in Afghanistan. "If I had stayed in Afghanistan, I would not have survived," she told the BBC. "They would have executed me or stoned me to death." She had received death threats in her hometown of Kabul.
Breaking is making its first appearance in the Olympic program. The dance sport, which originated in hip hop, is intended to particularly appeal to young audiences for the Summer Games. However, it could be a short-lived Olympic era. While Paris had chosen Breaking, the next host, Los Angeles, prefers softball and baseball. Therefore, Breaking is not in the Olympic program for 2028 but has a chance to return in 2032 in Brisbane.
Despite competing in Paris as a refugee, Talash's performance in Breaking was marked by controversy, resulting in her disqualification due to a political statement against women's rights in Afghanistan. Paris, being the city where she currently competes, continues to serve as her sanctuary and a platform for her advocacy.
