The issue of transgender athletes is a slippery slope, to say the least. Most recently, transgender weightlifter, Laurel Hubbard added to this topic of discussion.
2x gold and 1x silver for Laurel Hubbard at the Pacific Games.
125kg snatch
143kg clean and jerk
268kg total!#EarnTheFern 🌿 pic.twitter.com/TguXrj0RHh— NZ Olympic Team (@nzolympics) July 13, 2019
Hubbard was able to become the first transgender woman to win an international weightlifting title for New Zealand. This resulted from her winning gold at the Australian International, and Australian Open. Subsequently, this was met with much criticisms.
Although those criticisms have not ceased, this has yet to stop Hubbard. Earlier this week, she won gold yet again. This time, it was at the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games. It was here, at 87kg, that she won gold twice. She had a total lift of 268kg (590lbs), and snatch of 125kg (275lbs).
These events were also met with quite a lot of negativity. Hubbard, who was born Gavin, had competed in men’s weightlifting. Here, she did well until her transition in 2012. Despite this, she has met all requirements of the International Olympic Committee. These check transgender athletes, asking for proof that their testosterone is within a certain threshold.
As one could expect, this type of event will currently be met with more problems than solutions. It is worth noting, there is debate in the scientific world, as to whether transgender athletes have biological advantages. These could range beyond just testosterone, and venture into advantages to muscle structure, and body development.
Controversies aside, Laurel Hubbard is making quite the impact. She is coming back from a massive 2018 elbow injury. Also, Hubbard is looking to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. On the other hand, legal troubles could prevent that.
Published: 16 July, 2019 | 8:57 AM EDT
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