"Afghan Refugee Athlete Disqualified for Wearing Cape with 'Free Afghan Women' Message"

Afghan B-Girl Manizha Talash, a member of the Refugee Olympic Team at the Paris Games, was disqualified after displaying the phrase "Free Afghan Women" on her cape during her breaking routine in the competition's pre-qualifiers on Friday.

Talash, who resides in Spain, wore a light blue cape with the slogan written in large white letters during her pre-qualifier match against India Sardjoe of the Netherlands.

Political slogans and statements are prohibited on the field of play and on podiums at the Olympics. The World DanceSport Federation later announced that the 21-year-old had been disqualified for violating this rule.

Talash was "disqualified for displaying a political slogan on her attire," the federation stated.

The Paris Games mark the third time a team of refugees is participating in the Olympics, with 37 athletes competing in 12 different sports, including athletics, badminton, and boxing.

Afghanistan is represented by a contingent of three women and three men, a largely symbolic move by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to send a message to the country, where the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women's and girls' access to sports and gyms.

Both the head of Afghanistan's National Olympic Committee (NOC) recognized by the IOC and its secretary general are currently in exile.

Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban has closed girls' high schools, placed travel restrictions on women without a male guardian, and restricted access to parks and gyms, despite claiming to respect women's rights according to their interpretation of Islamic law and local customs.

The IOC has confirmed that no Taliban official has been accredited for the Games.