
For the first time ever, a transgender athlete has qualified for an Olympic team. New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard was selected for the national team on Monday and will be competing in the “super-heavyweight” category in the sport.
Born biologically male and originally named Gavin, Hubbard transitioned in 2012 after competing as a male in juniors matches. Hubbard’s first competition after transitioning, in 2017, was a blowout. The local New Zealand Herald reported at the time that “Hubbard, 39, won the women’s over-[198-lbs.] division at the Melbourne event, setting four unofficial national records in the process. Hubbard lifted a combined total of [591 lbs.] — [42 lbs.] better than silver medalist Iuniarra Sipaia of Samoa.”
As soon as Laurel Hubbard join the team former New Zealand Olympic weightlifter Tracey Lambrechs claims that she was told to change weight or retire. Below is her post regarding her retirement.