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?
On a dominant performance by Mercedes at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, George Russell claimed his second win of the year and led a one-two finish for the team. Despite Lewis Hamilton's charge from 10th place, Russell held on to take the checkered flag and help Mercedes sweep the entire race weekend. In a historic moment, Max Verstappen became a four-time world champion by securing a fifth-place finish, one place ahead of Lando Norris. Verstappen's Red Bull was no match for the dominant Mercedes cars, though he put up a tough fight for a podium finish.
19-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal made history as he became only the third Indian to score a century in his debut Test match in Australia. His impressive performance helped India to secure a strong position against Australia in the Perth Test. The IPL mega auction, set to begin in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, is also making headlines in the world of sports. With Jaiswal's outstanding form, he has now become the leading Indian player in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, scoring four centuries.
In a thrilling race at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Mercedes' George Russell secured a dominant victory after starting on pole position. Teammate Lewis Hamilton finished in second place, making it a Mercedes 1-2. The race saw an intense battle for third place between Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen, with Sainz ultimately claiming the final spot on the podium. Despite Hamilton's impressive comeback from a troubled qualifying session, it was Russell who crossed the finish line first, securing his first win of the 2024 season.
Young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal made history by becoming the fifth Indian cricketer to score a century in Perth, joining the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli. Jaiswal completed his maiden Test century against Australia on the third day of the ongoing Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. This achievement puts Jaiswal in the same league as Indian legends Gavaskar, Amarnath, Tendulkar, and Kohli, who all have scored Test centuries in Perth.
Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. Lead Nuggets Past Lakers 127-102 The Denver Nuggets showed their strength in a dominant performance against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. Led by Nikola Jokic's 34 points and Michael Porter Jr.'s 24, the Nuggets outscored the Lakers 70-39 in the second half and took control of the game. Despite an impressive performance from Russell Westbrook, scoring 14 points against his former team, the Lakers had no answer for Denver's inside and outside game. This was the first meeting between the two teams since the Nuggets eliminated the Lakers in the playoffs earlier this year, and it was a clear statement from Denver that they are still a dominant force in the Western Conference.
La Liga leaders Barcelona were stunned by Celta Vigo in a 2-2 draw, with two late goals securing a point for the home team. Despite a strong start and goals from Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona's collapse in the final minutes allowed Celta Vigo to snatch a draw. Coach Hansi Flick expressed his disappointment in his team's performance, and noted the absence of key player Lamine Yamal.
The mega auction for IPL 2025 is currently happening in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All ten franchises are making their moves to create a strong team for the upcoming 18th edition of the tournament. With Rs 110.50 crore in their purse, Punjab Kings have the biggest arsenal while Rajasthan Royals have the smallest with Rs 41 crore. In other news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged young people to join NCC and popular South Korean actors like Kim Soo-hyun and Byeon Woo-Seok are being recognized for their iconic roles. In cricket, India struggles against Australia in the 1st Test as half of their team has departed cheaply, including Rishabh Pant and Parag Jurel. Meanwhile, New Zealand's T20 World Cup champion has been ruled out for the rest of 2024 due to a bone stress fracture while KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal's partnership in Perth breaks a 38-year-old record.
In one of the most shocking football matches of the season, Manchester City suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham at Etihad Stadium. The Blues' hopes of bouncing back after four consecutive losses were crushed by James Maddison's brace and goals from Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min. The defeat marked Manchester City's first home loss in over two years, leaving manager Pep Guardiola with a lot to ponder. Relive all the highlights of this thrilling game in our live blog, including Rodri's Ballon d'Or parade.
In the midst of India’s tour of Australia, young cricket prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal stunned the sports world with his maiden test century. Australian commentator Gerard Whateley was quick to recognize the 19-year-old’s exceptional talent, dubbing him “the chosen one.” With a batting masterclass of 100 and counting, Jaiswal’s extraordinary skills and inspiring journey have captured the admiration and respect of fans and pundits alike.
Atalanta secures the top spot in the Serie A standings with a 3-1 victory over Parma, surpassing Inter Milan's 5-0 rout of Verona. Mateo Retegui scores his 12th league goal of the season to give the visitors an early lead, followed by goals from Ederson and Ademola Lookman. Despite Napoli dropping to third before their match against Roma, Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini remains focused on maintaining a winning mentality.