The COVID-19 pandemichas sparked controversy surrounding the 2020Tokyo Olympics, but one athlete has become a major talking point ahead of theGames. In the upcoming days, one Olympic athlete will attempt to create history by competing.
No matter if she wins or not, she will be remembered as âthe first-everâ simply for participating. Her efforts to make history are not certain to be enthusiastically applauded. Itâs certainly contentious, but the athlete is following the regulations.
Laurel Hubbard satisfiesthe standards set down by the IOC for athletes who transition from male to female status. For at least four years, the athlete must certify that her gender identification is female. As a result, the athleteâs testosterone level must not exceed 10 nanomoles per liter.
When does Laurel Hubbard compete at the Olympics?
Laurel Hubbard of New Zealand competes at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. (Getty)
Having turned 35 eight years ago, Gavin Hubbard began the process of becoming a female. The Associated Press reports that Hubbard participated in menâs events as a junior and established national records. Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020 as thefirst transgender Olympian to appear in the Games.
The 43-year-old weightlifter from New Zealand will compete in the +87kilograms division, which is the highest female weight category.At themulti-purpose exhibition center, the Tokyo International Forum, Hubbard will compete in the womenâs weightlifting event on Monday, August 2, against Great Britainâs Emily Campbell, as well as seven other athletes.
Before beginning hormone therapy and coming out as transgender in 2013, Hubbard, who was born male, achieved national records in the junior competition. In 2017, sheaddedtwo World Championships silver medals and a Commonwealth Games bronze before storming back to victory with a gold medal at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.
