Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will become the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics as New Zealand confirm her selection for the Tokyo Games after qualifying requirements were modified to allow her to take part
Laurel Hubbard has become the first transgender athlete to be picked to compete at an Olympics, sparking a backlash from campaign groups and her weightlifting rivals.
The 43-year-old, who competed in men’s competition before transitioning in 2013, said she was ‘grateful and humbled’ after being selected in New Zealand’s team for Tokyo in the women’s superheavyweight 87kg category.
However Dr Nicola Williams, director of British group Fair Play For Women, said: ‘Whether Hubbard wins a medal doesn’t matter. A female weightlifter has lost out on her place at the Olympics.
Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard has been selected in New Zealand’s Olympics team
That’s not right or fair. Someone who is born a male has benefited from lifelong testosterone and female people haven’t.’
Belgian Anna Vanbellinghen, who will compete against Hubbard in Tokyo, said last month: ‘It’s unfair to the sport and to the athletes. The whole thing feels like a bad joke.’
Hubbard competed in men’s weightlifting competitions before transitioning in 2013
