New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will become the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics after qualifying in the women's super-heavyweight division.
Hubbard lifted 628 pounds (185 kgs) in two lifts to earn a spot in the Tokyo Games as one of the five members confirmed for the New Zealand team on Monday.
Aged 43, she will be the oldest weightlifter at the Games, where she will enter ranked fourth among women 87 kgs and over.
Her selection has sparked controversy, but Hubbard says she is delighted to be included.
“I am grateful and humbled by the kindness and support that has been given to me by so many New Zealanders,” she said in a statement.
“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 (love) carried me through the darkness.
“The last eighteen months has shown us all that there is strength in kinship, in community, and in working together towards a common purpose. The mana of the silver fern comes all of you and I will wear it with pride."
Hubbard has faced scorn over her desire to compete in women's events, with media and opponents claiming that she holds an unfair advantage.
Having previously competed as Gavin Hubbard, her given name, she set national records in junior competitions.
Hubbard has met all the requirements for the International Olympic Committee's rules and regulations for trans athletes having transitioned eight years ago, including a declaration of gender identity that cannot be changed for a minimum of four years, as well as demonstrating that testosterone levels fall below certain amounts.
Despite this though, her inclusion is still controversial.
Likely Tokyo rival Anna Vanbellinghen, of Belgium, has hit out at her selection.
“I am aware that defining a legal frame for transgender participation in sports is very difficult since there is an infinite variety of situations and that reaching an entirely satisfactory solution, from either side of the debate, is probably impossible,” she said.
“However, anyone that has trained weightlifting at a high level knows this to be true in their bones: this particular situation is unfair to the sport and to the athletes.
“Life-changing opportunities are missed for some athletes — medals and Olympic qualifications — and we are powerless. 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.”
Despite the criticism, New Zealand Olympic Committee chief Kereyn Smith is happy toi stand by Hubbard.
“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.
"As the New Zealand Team, we have a strong culture of manaaki (hospitality) 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.”
