An Afghani breakdancer was disqualified from the Olympics on Friday after making a political statement for women's rights in her home country.
Talash, whose real name is Manizha Talas, was taking part in the Olympic premiere of the dance sport.
The 21-year-old is competing for the refugee team in Paris after fleeing from her homeland following the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, with Talash, who is originally from Kabul, since settling in Spain with her 12-year-old brother.
And, seconds into her performance on Friday, Talash removed her sweater to reveal a blue cape with the writing 'Free Afghan Women'.
Talash received a roar of approval from the crowd at Urban Park in Paris and later explained why she had made the powerful statement.
'I wanted to show people what is possible,' she said.
However, the 21-year-old's actions landed her in hot water with officials as she was subsequently disqualified for what the World DanceSport Federation viewed as 'displaying a political slogan'.
Rules prohibit athletes from giving political messages at Olympic competitions, although the International Olympic Committee has somewhat eased these restrictions in recent years.
Talash, who had already been eliminated by Dutch B-girl India Sardjo in the preliminary qualification stage of the competition at the time of the disqualification, is one of 37 athletes competing for the refugee team in Paris.
She has previously opened up on how she received death threats in Afghanistan before she fled the country.
When the Taliban returned to power three years ago, they prohibited women from universities, public parks, and from playing sports, while they also raided the homes of female athletes.
These measures included Talash's breakdancing club heartbreakingly being forced to close down.
Talash's powerful statement came on a day when breakdancing made its Olympic debut, with the event being added to the games in Paris.
However, it has not been included in the initial sports programme for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
