The Afghan breaker Talash was disqualified from the Olympic debut of dance sport after she made a statement for women’s rights in her home country. She competed in Paris as part of the refugee team.
During her performance on Friday (09.08.2024), the 21-year-old showcased a light blue cape with the inscription “Free Afghan Women.” According to a statement, the World DanceSport Federation considered this as “displaying a political slogan” and subsequently disqualified the athlete. She had already been eliminated in the preliminary qualification of the competition.
IOC allows political messages – with conditions
Talash, whose real name is Manizha Talas, fled her homeland after the Taliban took power and is competing in Paris as a member of the refugee team. Athletes are prohibited from making political statements at Olympic events.
However, prior to the 2021 Tokyo Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) amended Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter. According to this rule, protests are allowed as long as they respect the principles of Olympism, do not “directly or indirectly target individuals, countries, organizations and/or their dignity,” and do not disrupt other athletes’ preparations.
At the Olympics held on the Place de la Concorde, Talash competed against an athlete from India, representing the Netherlands, who later secured fourth place. The judges unanimously favored the competitor from India. In breaking, the so-called B-girls and B-boys face each other, dancing three short rounds each. At the end of each round, a panel evaluates the results based on five criteria. The participant who wins the most rounds wins the battle.
Death threats at home
Talash fled to Pakistan with her then 12-year-old brother in August 2021 when Islamic fundamentalists took control 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 mentioned that she received death threats in her hometown of Kabul.
Breaking is included in the Olympic Games program for the first time. This dance sport, which has its origins in hip hop, aims to attract younger audiences to the Summer Games. However, this may be a short Olympic chapter. While Paris embraced breaking, the upcoming host city of Los Angeles favors softball and baseball. Consequently, breaking will not be on the Olympic program in 2028, but it has another opportunity in Brisbane in 2032.
The Afghan breaker Talash was disqualified from the Olympic premiere of dance sport after she made a statement for women’s rights in her home country. She competed in Paris for the refugee team.
During her performance on Friday (09.08.2024), the 21-year-old presented a light blue cape with the inscription “Free Afghan Women”. According to a statement, the World DanceSport Federation viewed this as “displaying a political slogan” and disqualified the athlete. She had already been eliminated in the preliminary qualification of the competition.
IOC allows political messages – with conditions
Talash, whose real name is Manizha Talas, fled her homeland after the Taliban seized power and is competing in Paris as a member of the refugee team. Athletes are prohibited from making political messages at Olympic competitions.
Before the 2021 Tokyo Games, however, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) modified Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter. According to this, protests are permitted as long as the principles of Olympism are respected, it is not “directly or indirectly directed against people, countries, organizations and/or their dignity” and other athletes are not disturbed in their preparation.
At the Olympics on the Place de la Concorde, Talash competed against India from the Netherlands, who later came fourth. The judges unanimously chose India. In breaking, the so-called B-girls and B-boys compete against each other, dancing three short rounds each. At the end of each round, a jury evaluates the results based on five criteria. Whoever wins the most of the three rounds wins the battle.
Death threats at home
Talash fled to Pakistan with her then 12-year-old brother in August 2021 when Islamic fundamentalists seized 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 said she received death threats in her hometown of Kabul.
Breaking is on the Olympic Games programme for the first time. The dance sport, which has its origins in hip hop, is intended to attract young audiences to the Summer Games. However, it could be a short Olympic era. While Paris opted for breaking, the upcoming host city of Los Angeles prefers softball and baseball. That is why breaking is not on the Olympic programme in 2028, but it has another chance in Brisbane in 2032.
What is Breaking Dance?
Breaking, also known as breakdancing, originated in the 1970s in the South Bronx. It blends athleticism with artistic expression, showcasing incredible moves and styles. As a competitive dance form, breaking includes various styles such as toprock, downrock, power moves, and freezes. The incorporation of hip hop culture and music makes it a vibrant and explosive dance genre.
Rules of Breaking Competitions
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Technique | Execution of moves and transitions with precision. |
| Style | Individual flair and creativity in the performance. |
| Musicality | How well the dancer moves and syncs with the music. |
| Presence | Confidence and energy projected during performance. |
| Overall Impression | Overall impact and enjoyment of the performance. |
The Future of Breaking in the Olympics
The inclusion of breaking in the Olympics is a significant milestone for the dance community. The Olympic platform helps promote diversity in sports and reaches out to a younger audience. As seen in Paris, breaking is gaining international recognition.
Although breaking will not be featured in the Los Angeles 2028 Games, enthusiasts and dancers remain hopeful for its return in Brisbane 2032. This evolving narrative demonstrates the global evolution of dance sports and the ongoing fight for recognition and inclusion in global sports events.
The Impact of Political Messages in Sports
The intersection of sports and politics continues to be a complex and sensitive topic. Athletes like Talash who use their platform to advocate for social issues often face backlash but also inspire conversations around important themes, including women’s rights and humanitarian issues.
In recent years, we have seen an increase in political messages in sports, often bringing attention to critical societal issues. While regulations vary across different sporting organizations, the act of protest can create powerful movements, influencing public opinion and bringing global awareness to matters that need attention.
