At the Paris 2024 Olympics, B-Girl Manizha Talash from the Refugee Olympic Team was disqualified after displaying a political message during her breaking routine. Talash's message aimed to highlight the plight of women under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, but it led to controversy when she was disqualified for breaching Olympic regulations. In other Olympic news, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif made history by claiming the first Olympic gold medal in boxing for a woman from Africa and the Arab world.
Olympic Disqualification Sparks Controversy: Breakdancing and Political Protest
The 2024 Paris Olympics have witnessed a contentious incident involving B-Girl Manizha Talash, who was disqualified from the breaking competition for displaying a political message.
Talash's Disqualification
During her routine, Talash unveiled a white T-shirt bearing the message "FREE AFGHANISTAN WOMEN" in black letters. This act violated Olympic regulations prohibiting political, religious, and racial demonstrations during competitions. Consequently, the judges disqualified her, sparking a debate about artistic expression and political activism at the Games.
Talash's message aimed to draw attention to the oppression faced by women under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. She hoped to amplify their voices and advocate for their human rights. However, her protest contravened Olympic protocols, which prioritize the neutrality and fairness of the competition.
Historic Achievements
Despite the controversy, the Paris 2024 Olympics have also celebrated historic achievements.
Background
Political protests at the Olympics have a long history. In 1968, American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos famously raised their fists in a Black Power salute during the medal ceremony to protest racial injustice.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has adopted strict rules to prevent political demonstrations, arguing that they distract from the athletic competition. However, some argue that athletes have a right to use their platform to speak out on important issues.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Why was Manizha Talash disqualified?
What was Talash's message?
What is the IOC's stance on political protests?
What is the significance of Imane Khelif's victory?
Has there been a history of political protests at the Olympics?
After repeated rejections by La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation, Barcelona successfully appealed to the Higher Sports Council to register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. However, their registration is only valid until the CSD reaches a final decision in April, leaving the team with a limited timeline to utilize their talents in crucial matches. The stakes are high as Barcelona must secure favorable results in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League during this period, making the CSD's decision a crucial factor in their success.
The Indian women's cricket team, led by Smriti Mandhana, takes on Ireland in the first ODI of a three-match series. With the hosts coming off a series sweep against the West Indies, Mandhana and her team will look to continue their dominant form. However, Ireland's Prendergast brings valuable experience from playing in Australia and could prove to be a key player for the visitors in this highly-anticipated match.
In a thrilling match at the Kotambi Stadium, Rajasthan's opener Abhijeet Tomar's brilliant century and a five-wicket haul from Tamil Nadu's Varun Chakaravarthy made for an exciting game. Tomar's partnership with skipper Mahipal Lomror set the foundation for Rajasthan's first-ever victory over Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. They will now face Vidarbha in the quarterfinals on Sunday. Additionally, Haryana dominated Bengal with all-round performances from Parth Vats and Nishant Sandhu, securing a 72-run win.
In a thrilling match in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane led Al Nassr to a 3-1 victory over Al Okhdoud at the Awwal Park in Riyadh. The two star players each scored a goal, with Mane scoring a brace and Ronaldo scoring his first goal of 2025. The win propelled Al Nassr to third place in the league table with 28 points from 14 matches. Don't miss out on the excitement, subscribe now to catch all the action.
Real Madrid secured their spot in the Supercopa final after a thrilling match against Mallorca. They will now face off against their arch-rivals Barcelona in a highly anticipated final in Jeddah. Stay tuned for updates and post-match reactions.
In a thrilling match between Real Madrid and Valencia, Vinicius Junior's red card became the main talking point. After pushing Valencia's goalkeeper and receiving a straight red, the Brazilian forward's hopes of celebrating a victory seemed dashed. However, thanks to late goals from Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham, Madrid secured a 2-1 win. Vinicius later took to social media to apologize to his teammates, while manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that the club will appeal the red card. According to MARCA, the Spanish Football Federation is considering a two-game ban for Vinicius instead of the customary four-match suspension for violent conduct, as they acknowledge that he was provoked by the opposing player.
In a recent conversation with The Athletic, Mallorca right-back Pablo Maffeo opened up about an old compliment he received from Lionel Messi. The Argentinian superstar had labeled Maffeo as the "toughest defender he's faced" after a game in 2017. The 20-year-old defender sees this as a trophy and is now set to face off against another superstar, Vinicius Junior, in the upcoming Supercopa de Espana. This will be the 11th time that the two players will face each other, with a record of four wins each so far. Interestingly, Messi has never scored against Maffeo in their previous encounters.
After a disappointing loss to Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool are reportedly eyeing Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich as a potential replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, should the current Reds player depart for Real Madrid. With Kimmich having excelled as a defensive midfielder and even taking on the captain's armband, Liverpool are keeping a close eye on the situation and may make a move in the upcoming January transfer window.
In a recent interview, FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal expressed his excitement for the Spanish Super Cup final after scoring a crucial goal in the semifinals against Athletic Club. The 17-year-old had just returned from an ankle injury and was instrumental in securing his team's spot in the final. He also shared his happiness in seeing teammates Dani Olmo and Pau Victor being cleared to play and hopes they will join him in the final against either Real Madrid or RCD Mallorca.
In a thrilling semifinal match against Athletic Club, Barcelona secures its place in the Spanish Super Cup finals. A long pass from Raphinha leads to a chance for Athletic to score, but a timely intervention from goalkeeper Simon denies them. Subscribers of Sportstar can catch the highlights of the intense match at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.