Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will become the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics, representing New Zealand in Tokyo. Competing in the women’s super heavyweight category along with four other weightlifters, The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) announced Hubbard’s inclusion. Hubbard will also become the oldest weightlifter at the games at 43-years-old, lifting 628lbs in two lifts on her path to qualification.
Her competing in the women’s category opened up quite a controversy. Belgian weightlifter Anna Vanbellinghen stated that it would be ‘like a bad joke’ if Hubbard were to compete in the category. She stated that whilst supporting the transgender community, the inclusion should not be at the expense of others. New Zealand’s government are however backing Hubbard fully, with NZOC chief executive stating that they acknowledge ‘gender identity in sport being a highly sensitive and complex issue requiring a balance between human rights and fairness on the field of play.’
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Photo Source: CNN