He will be in Tokyo to lift weights

Laurel Hubbard, 43 years old, from New Zealand, there will be The first transgender athlete In the history of Olympic Games. But Hubbard, who changed her gender eight years ago, holds another kind of record: She will be the biggest weightlifter at the Olympics this year. Tokyo.

Laurel Hubbard, the first transgender athlete in the Olympics: Who wouldn’t agree

However, international athletes and healthcare professionals have drawn criticism. Some argue that Hubbard will have an advantage and that the competition will be unfair, while others argue that the situation is like a “bad joke”.

In 2018 during the Commonwealth Games, Laurel Hubbard She suffered a serious elbow injury that could have put an end to her athletic career but thanks to the “support, encouragement and love of people who have come out of the dark”. Since he changed his gender, Hubbard has met all the criteria required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidelines.

The IOC states that once it declares that one’s gender identity is female, it can no longer change it for at least four years. The committee also declared that any transgender athlete can compete as a woman as long as testosterone levels are below a certain level for at least 12 months prior to competition.

Does Testosterone Benefit Hubbard?

However, in the winch community there are those who object that this does not guarantee fair competition because the maximum is testosterone However, at least five times that of a person biologically born female is required.

The scientists also argued that the guidelines did not appear to take into account the biological benefits of those who had experienced puberty, including bone and muscle density.

Who stands with Hubbard

But there are those who take sides in Hubbard’s defense, such as New Zealand Olympic Committee director Keren Smith, who said: “We know that gender identity in sport is a very sensitive and complex issue, one that requires finding the right balance between human rights and equity on the field.

“But as a New Zealand team, we have a strong culture of Manaki (hospitality), inclusion and respect for everyone.” The New Zealand government has also offered its support. “Laurel is part of the New Zealand Olympic team. We are proud of her as we are all of our athletes and will support her to the maximum,” Sports Minister Grant Robertson said.

At the Tokyo Olympics, she will participate in a category reserved for women weighing 87 kg and above.