Afghan girl Manizha Talash was disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 breaking competition on Friday after a political message was found written on her cape during her routine.
As Manizha Talash performed her routine on the runway, dressed all in black, the Afghan b-girl removed her jacket to reveal a blue cape inscribed, in English, with "Free Afghan Women." She then opened the ball of the women's breaking competition, held on Friday at Place de la Concorde.
A member of the refugee team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the 21-year-old, who fled her country after the Taliban seized power in August 2021 and took refuge in Spain, "was disqualified for displaying a political message on her attire", the World Dance Sport Federation said in a statement. Political slogans and statements are forbidden on sports fields and podiums at the Olympic Games.
Breakdance results
Canadian Philip Kim, better known as B-Boy Phil Wizard, produced a spellbinding performance to defeat France's Danis Civil and capture the first Olympic gold medal ever awarded for men's breaking on Saturday.
Kim's supernatural power moves, smooth transitions and unlimited energy overwhelmed hometown favourite B-Boy Dany Dann for a 3-0 win in the final. The 27-year-old busted out even more moves after the results were announced to let the crowd know that he still had plenty left in the tank even after a gruelling day of battles in hot conditions at Place de la Concorde.
Kim, who triumphed at the Pan American Games last year, said he was battling nerves ahead of the competition."
(L'Équipe)
