Laurel Hubbard earned silver at the 2017 World Championships
June 20, 2021
Transgender weightlifter selected for Tokyo Olympics
New Zealand’s Laurel Hubbard will become the first transgender athlete to compete at an Olympics after being selected for the country’s women’s weightlifting team at Tokyo 2020.
Hubbard, 43, competed in men’s events before transitioning in 2013. However, she became eligible to compete in the Olympics as a transgender athlete in 2015, when the International Olympic Committee changed its guidelines.
Hubbard was able to secure a place for Tokyo after weightlifting’s governing body modified qualifying requirements.
The change meant athletes only had to attend four competitions rather than six because of the impact of COVID-19.
Critics say Hubbard has an unfair advantage, but others have argued for more inclusion at the Games.
