Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard becomes 1st trans woman athlete in Olympic history
Nelson Oliveira
Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard did not make it to the podium, but she did make history.
The New Zealand athlete became the first out transgender woman to compete in the Olympics on Monday — even as she failed to complete a successful lift in the women’s over-87-kilogram weightlifting category.
The 43-year-old athlete’s historic participation in the Tokyo Games drew an expected mix of support and attacks, with LGBT advocates praising the International Olympic Committee for making the event more inclusive while opponents accused her of having an unfair advantage over her competitors.
Laurel Hubbard of Team New Zealand competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 87kg+ Group A on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Laurel Hubbard of Team New Zealand competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 87kg+ Group A on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Chris Graythen/)
Hubbard, who took part in men’s competitions before quitting the sport more than 10 years ago, qualified for the Olympics after the IOC relaxed its strict guidelines for trans athletes in 2015 to allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s categories as long as their testosterone levels are below 10 nanomoles per liter. No other trans athlete had ever qualified under the IOC’s 2004 version of the guidelines.
Hubbard returned to the sport in 2017, five years after her transition, but had to take another break after suffering an injury in 2018.
Kereyn Smith, CEO of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, said Hubbard met all eligibility criteria and had the support of the New Zealand team and her country.
“We acknowledge that gender identity in sport is a highly sensitive and complex issue requiring a balance between human rights and fairness on the field of play,” Smith said in a statement. “As the New Zealand Team, we have a strong culture of manaaki and inclusion and respect for all. We are committed to supporting all eligible New Zealand athletes and ensuring their mental and physical wellbeing, along with their high-performance needs, while preparing for and competing at the Olympic Games are met.”
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Bulgaria's Bozhidar Dimitrov Andreev competes in the men's 73kg weightlifting competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on July 28, 2021.
Katie Ledecky of Team United States celebrates with Erica Sullivan of Team United States after competing in the Women's 1500m Freestyle Final on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
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Katie Ledecky of Team United States competes in the Women's 1500m Freestyle Final on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
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Sunisa Lee, of the United States, performs on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo.
Simone Biles, of United States, right, hugs teammate Sunisa Lee, after pulling out of the women's artistic gymnastic team finals at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
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Takahiro Shikine of Japan, right, and Daniele Garozzo of Italy compete in the men's individual semifinal foil competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chiba, Japan.
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Thailand's Sapsiree Taerattanachai plays with compatriot Dechapol Puavaranukroh against Britain's Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith during their mixed doubles group play stage badminton match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Sun Wei, of China, performs on the floor exercise during the artistic gymnastic men's team final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo.
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Britain's Adam Peaty swims to win the gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo.
The setting sun lights up the sky as South Africa and Great Britain compete during a women's field hockey match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Luis Javier Mosquera Lozano of Colombia celebrates after a lift as he competes in the men's 67kg weightlifting event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Kim Bui, of Germany, performs on the vault during the women's artistic gymnastic qualifications at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo.
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Georgii Zantaraia of Ukraine, top, and Adrian Gomboc of Slovenia compete during their men's -66kg round of 16 judo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
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Simone Biles of Team United States competes on the vault during Women's Qualification on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Mai Murakami, of Japan, performs on the beam during women's artistic gymnastic qualifications at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo.
Grace McCullum, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Simone Biles, Mykayla Skinner and Jade Carey of Team USA wave as they line up ahead of their floor routines on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
USA's Grace Mc Callum competes in the artistic gymnastics balance beam event of the women's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 25, 2021.
USA's Simone Biles competes in the floor event of the artistic gymnastic women's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 25, 2021.
USA's Grace Mc Callum competes in the artistic gymnastics balance beam event of the women's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 25, 2021.
USA's Mykayla Skinner competes in the uneven bars event of the artistic gymnastics women's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 25, 2021.
USA's Sunisa Lee competes in the artistic gymnastics balance beam event of the women's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 25, 2021.
USA's Jade Carey competes in the artistic gymnastics balance beam event of the women's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 25, 2021.
Simone Biles of Team United States competes on the balance beam during Women's Qualification on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
USA's Simone Biles competes in the artistic gymnastics balance beam event of the women's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 25, 2021.
Anna Kiesenhofer of Austria crosses the line solo to win the gold medal in the women's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Oyama, Japan.
France's Teji Savanier celebrates after scoring a goal during a men's soccer match against South Africa at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Saitama, Japan.
Slovakia's Danka Bartekova competes in the women's skeet qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Asaka Shooting Range in the Nerima district of Tokyo on July 25, 2021.
India's Divyansh Singh Panwar competes in the men's 10m air rifle qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Asaka Shooting Range in the Nerima district of Tokyo on July 25, 2021.
Kazakhstan's Zoya Kravchenko competes in women's skeet qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Asaka Shooting Range in the Nerima district of Tokyo on July 25, 2021.
Bronze medalist Germany's Lena Hentschel and Tina Punzel compete in the synchronized 3-meter springboard final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo.
Japan's Katsuhiro Matsumoto competes in a 200-meter freestyle heat at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo.
Eduarda Santos Lisboa, of Brazil, reaches for the ball during a women's beach volleyball match against Argentina at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Julia Sude and Karla Borger, of Germany, play against Anouk Verge-Depre and Joana Heidrich, of Switzerland, during a women's beach volleyball match in the empty Shiokaze Park at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Poland's Natalia Partyka competes during the table tennis women's singles first-round match against Australia's Michelle Bromley at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo.
Singapore's Clarence Chew Zhe Yu celebrate after winning table tennis men's singles first-round match against Senegal's Ibrahima Diaw at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo.
Sofus Heggemsnes, of Norway, performs on the rings during the men's artistic gymnastic qualifications at the 2020 Summer Olympics on Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo.
Brody Malone, of the United States, performs on the horizontal bar during the men's artistic gymnastic qualifications at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo.
Japan's Kohei Kameyama competes in the pommel horse event of the artistic gymnastics men's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 24, 2021.
USA's Yul Moldauer competes in the rings event of the artistic gymnastics men's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 24, 2021.
Turkey's Adem Asil competes in the rings event of the artistic gymnastics men's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 24, 2021.
USA's Brody Malone competes in the floor event of the artistic gymnastics men's qualification during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 24, 2021.
Daniyal Shahbakhsh, of the Islamic Republic of Iran, exchanges punches with Morocco's Mohamed Hamout during their men's featherweight 57-kg boxing match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Cameroon's Albert Mengue Ayissi, center, celebrates during a men's welterweight 69-kg boxing match against Switzerland's Thabiso Dlamin, left, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Zijie Wang of China, right, and Houssan Elkord of Morocco compete in the men's individual round of 32 Epee competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan.
Angelo Caro Narvaez of Peru kicks his board after his final attempt during the men's street skateboarding finals at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Ireland's Chloe Watkins passes the ball during a women's field hockey match against South Africa at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Australia's Sam Kerr (2) celebrates after scoring a goal during a women's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Saitama, Japan.
Poland's Wilfredo Leon Venero spikes a ball against Iran's Meisam Salehi, Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Eraghi and Mir Saeid Marouflakrani, during a men's volleyball preliminary round pool A match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Brazil's Joao Victor Marcari Oliva, hugs Escorial Horsecampline as he celebrates after competing during the dressage Grand Prix competition at Equestrian Park the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Japan's Kotaro Mizumachi tries to score during the men's Preliminary Round Group B handball match between Denmark and Japan and Egypt at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Despite being the first trans woman to compete as a solo athlete in the Olympics, Hubbard was not the first transgender person to participate in the games. Quinn, a nonbinary midfielder for this year’s Canadian women’s soccer team, became the first openly trans athlete in the Olympics. In addition, transgender woman Chelsea Wolfe is an alternative on the U.S. BMX team in Tokyo.
In comments provided by the New Zealand committee, Hubbard said she was “humbled and grateful” for the support she has received.
“When I broke my arm at the Commonwealth Games three years ago, I was advised that my sporting career had likely reached its end. But your support, your encouragement, and your aroha carried me through the darkness,” she said.
Laurel Hubbard of Team New Zealand competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 87kg+ Group A on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Laurel Hubbard of Team New Zealand competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 87kg+ Group A on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Chris Graythen/)
Rival weightlifter Anna Van Bellinghen, of Belgium, was one of many critics to speak out against Hubbard’s inclusion in the women’s competition, calling it a “bad joke.”
“Of course, this debate is taking place in a broader context of discrimination against transgender people, and that is why the question is never free of ideology,” she told the Olympics news site Inside the Games in May.
“However, the extreme nature of this particular situation really demonstrates the need to set up a stricter legal framework for transgender inclusion in sports, and especially elite sports,” she said. “Because I do believe that everyone should have access to sports, but not at the expense of others.”
LGBT groups, on the other hand, described Hubbard’s Olympic debut as a much-delayed step toward equality and inclusion.
“There is simply no evidence to support false claims that transgender people are a threat to sports or anywhere else in society,” said Barbara Simon, head of news and campaigns for the LGBT media advocacy organization GLAAD. “On the contrary, Laurel’s presence and own words today highlight what the Olympics can and should be: a celebration of unity, equality and inclusion.”
