Afghan B-Girl Manizha Talash, a member of the refugee Olympic team at the Paris Games, was disqualified after displaying the words 'Free Afghan Women' on her cape during her breaking routine in the competition's pre-qualifiers on Friday.

Talash, who sought asylum in Spain after fleeing Taliban rule in her home country in 2021, wore a light blue cape that had the phrase written on it with large white letters during her pre-qualifier loss to India Sardjoe of the Netherlands.

“I'm here because I want to reach my dream. Not because I'm scared,” she said before the Olympics from Spain, where she was granted asylum.

Political slogans and statements are banned on the field of play and on the podiums at the Olympics and breaking's governing body later said the 21-year-old had been disqualified.

Talash was "disqualified for displaying a political slogan on her attire," World DanceSport Federation said in a statement.

The Paris Games are the third Olympics where a team of refugees is taking part, with 37 athletes competing in 12 different sports including athletics, badminton and boxing.

Afghanistan is represented by a contingent of three women and three men, in a largely symbolic move by the International Olympic Committee as a message to the country, which under Taliban rule has restricted women's and girls' access to sports and gyms.

The one-off pre-qualifier battle between Talash and Sardjoe was added in May, when Talash was included in the Olympic roster after the B-girl from Afghanistan missed registration for qualifying events.