x

International

Transgender Weightlifter Hubbard Makes History at Olympics

TOKYO  — Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard finally got to compete at the Tokyo Olympics. 

It didn't last long, but it was significant. Hubbard couldn't complete any of her first three lifts on Monday night, ruling her out of medal contention in the women's over-87-kilogram division. 

Hubbard made a heart gesture to the audience with her hands before leaving the competition arena.

Even without completing a lift, she was a pioneer for transgender athletes. 

While the New Zealander isn't the only transgender athlete competing at the Tokyo Games, she has been out for years and has been the focus of attention as a medal contender in weightlifting. 

"Of course, I'm not entirely unaware of the controversy which surrounds my participation in these Games," Hubbard said after exiting the competition. "And, as such, I'd particularly like to thank the IOC, for, I think, really affirming their commitment to the principals of Olympism, and establishing that sport is something for all people. It is inclusive. It is accessible."

Hubbard also thanked the International Weightlifting Federation, because "they too have shown that weightlifting is an activity that's open to all of the people in the world," and the people of Japan for hosting the Games under extraordinary circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hubbard overbalanced on her opening weight of 120 kilograms, taking the bar behind her shoulders. 

Her second effort of 125 kilograms was ruled invalid on a majority decision by the referees. The third attempt was almost a repeat of the first.

Athletes are eliminated if they do not record at least one valid lift in each of the two parts of the competition. 

The International Olympic Committee in 2015 drew up a set of recommendations for including transgender athletes. Many sports bodies, including the IWF, have implemented similar policies based on those recommendations. Different sports are allowed to set their own specific policies.

In weightlifting, that includes a requirement for athletes to show their testosterone is below a certain level after transitioning, a requirement which Hubbard met. 

The IOC will release a new "framework" for transgender athletes' eligibility in the coming months. That document is expected to take into account newer scientific studies published since the last major review in 2015. That will form a basis for sports to draw up their own updated policies.

Earlier Monday, Wang Zhouyu won the women's 87-kilogram category to give China it's sixth gold medal in weightlifting. Wang won with a total of 270 kilograms. Tamara Salazar won the silver for Ecuador with a total 263, and Crismery Santana took the bronze with 256 for the Dominican Republic.

RELATED

SHANGHAI (AP) — Jannik Sinner avenged his defeat to Ben Shelton in the fourth round of last year's Shanghai Masters with a 6-4, 7-6 (1) to spoil the 22-year-old American's birthday on Wednesday.

herald

Top Stories

Columnists

A pregnant woman was driving in the HOV lane near Dallas.

General News

NEW YORK – Meropi Kyriacou, the new Principal of The Cathedral School in Manhattan, was honored as The National Herald’s Educator of the Year.

Video

Las Vegas Says Goodbye to the Tropicana with a Flashy Casino Implosion (Vid)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sin City blew a kiss goodbye to the Tropicana before first light Wednesday in an elaborate implosion that reduced to rubble the last true mob building on the Las Vegas Strip.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sin City blew a kiss goodbye to the Tropicana before first light Wednesday in an elaborate implosion that reduced to rubble the last true mob building on the Las Vegas Strip.

There's an art to making smoothies that deserves its own spotlight.

ATHENS - The sea turtle populations in Greece, including on the islands of Zakynthos and Crete, as well as Cyprus are coming back after years of decline, spurred by plans to protect them and the work of activists and conservationists in the field.

NICOSIA - In what likely will further impede any hope of reviving the divided island, the Turkish-Cypriot occupied side is going ahead with plans to revive the abandoned resort of Varosha that has been shut down since 1974 Turkish invasions.

espa

Enter your email address to subscribe

Provide your email address to subscribe. For e.g. [email protected]

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our newsletter.