REPORT: Refugee Team Breakdancer Manizha Talash Kicked Out Of The Olympics Because Of Controversial Item She Wore

Free Afghan Women ✊ #Paris2024 #breaking pic.twitter.com/hjbQHFhpCk

— Thibaut Buccellato (@Thibuch) August 9, 2024

The Associated Press reports that the World DanceSport Federation removed her from the games for “displaying a political slogan on her attire during the Pre-Qualifier battle.”

Talash would have been eliminated from the competition in any case, having lost to Holland’s India Sardjoe in the first round. But she ended up getting booted from the tournament as the Olympics prohibit political, religious, and racial messaging.

“The mission of the Olympic Games to bring the entire world together can facilitate the understanding of different views, but this can be accomplished only if everybody respects this diversity,” the International Olympic Committee’s charter reads.

“It is a fundamental principle that sport is neutral and must be separate from political, religious or any other type of interference.”

Manizha Talash Previously Explained Why She Fled Afghanistan

Manizha Talash joined the refugee team because she fled Afghanistan, though she claims her decision wasn’t influenced by the living conditions.

“I didn’t leave Afghanistan because I’m afraid of the Taliban or because I can’t live in Afghanistan,” she said, per CNN.

“I left because I want to do what I can for the girls in Afghanistan, for my life, my future, for everyone.”

Sometimes breaking the rules is necessary.

🗣️ Manizha Talash #paris2024 pic.twitter.com/IDEab3dmXl

— Sanny Rudravajhala (@Sanny_Rudra) August 9, 2024

The 21-year-old views competing in the Olympics as a show of strength and is perhaps pleased enough to have gotten her message across despite the consequences.