First Openly Transgender Athlete to Compete Against Biological Women in Olympics By Tré Goins-Phillips for Faith Wire
GNN Note – Another man that can not out perform his peers is using his larger muscle mass, larger lung capacity and bone density to one-up women’s weightlifting. So brave!! /END
Laurel Hubbard — a biological male who identifies as female — is slated to become the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Olympics after New Zealand selected the 43-year-old to participate in the Tokyo games.
Hubbard, who will be the oldest weightlifter to compete this summer, is “grateful and humbled by the kindness and support that has been given to me by so many New Zealanders,” the athlete stated, according to The Washington Post.
Now is your chance to support Gospel News Network.
We love helping others and believe that’s one of the reasons we are chosen as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, to serve God’s children. We look to the Greatest Commandment as our Powering force.
NZ weightlifter Hubbard to become first transgender athlete to compete at Games https://t.co/INNcBRxA2m pic.twitter.com/SYBBggb7Rd
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 21, 2021
The weightlifter transitioned from male to female eight years ago. Prior to 2013, Hubbard participated in men’s competitions.
Hubbard became eligible to compete as a female in 2015, after showing a testosterone level below 10 nanomoles per liter for the preceding 12 months leading up to competing.
In a statement released Monday, New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith admitted “gender identity” in professional sports is a “highly sensitive and complex issue.” She did, however, note Hubbard has the support of the committee, which is dedicated to “inclusion and respect for all.”
The New Zealand government also expressed support for Hubbard.
“Laurel is a member of New Zealand’s Olympic team,” said Minister for Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson. “We are proud of her as we are of all our athletes, and will be supporting her all the way.”
Hubbard has claimed since 2017 to have no advantage over biological females.
“Look,” the athlete said at the time, “I’ve heard that and I think it’s incredibly disrespectful to other competitors. I don’t believe there is any fundamental difference between me and the other athletes, and to suggest there is is slightly demeaning to them.”
