Tokyo Olympics first Transgender Powerlifter

[JLee]

This is an article taken from TMZ. Any one who is familiar with powerlifting has probably already seen this.

For the very first time, a transgender athlete will compete in the summer Olympics … and shocker, there’s already controversy.

43-year-old Laurel Hubbard – who transitioned from male to female in 2013 – has been selected to the New Zealand women’s weightlifting team to compete in the women’s 87-kilogram division.

The issue?? Hubbard competed in men’s weightlifting competitions before she transitioned – and some critics are already blasting the situation as unfair to other athletes.

But, the International Olympic Committee has specific guidelines for transgender athletes to compete – testosterone levels must be below a certain level – and Hubbard has met the criteria since 2015.

In other words, she’s good to go!!

The CEO of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Kereyn Smith, issued a statement Monday supporting Hubbard.

“We acknowledge that gender identity in sport is a highly sensitive and complex issue requiring a balance between human rights and fairness on the field of play,” Smith said.

"As the New Zealand Team, we have a strong culture of manaaki and inclusion and respect for all. We are committed to supporting all eligible New Zealand athletes and ensuring their mental and physical wellbeing, along with their high-performance needs, while preparing for and competing at the Olympic Games are met.”

Not everyone feels that way … back in May, Belgian weightlifter Anna Vanbellinghen reportedly called Hubbard’s qualifying situation “unfair” and a “bad joke.”

Hubbard, though, wasn’t letting the disapproval get in the way of her feat Monday … saying, “I am grateful and humbled by the kindness and support that has been given to me by so many New Zealanders.”

"The last 18 months has shown us all that there is strength in kinship, in community, and in working together towards a common purpose. The mana of the silver fern comes from all of you and I will wear it with pride.”

Added Olympic Weightlifting New Zealand President Richie Patterson, “Laurel is an astute student of the sport and technically very good with the lifts. We look forward to supporting her in her final preparations towards Tokyo.”

 

[JLee]

Hubbard transitioned to female eight years ago at age 35. Before her transition, Hubbard competed in men’s events, setting national records in junior competition, according to The Associated Press.

 

[Bigmurph6]

I say let her compete if she wins then just don’t give her the medal.

That was my opinion but ive learned alot more about this topic.
So she transitioned years ago so test levels should be tested as to make sure that she is on the same level of testosterone as the rest of the female athletes.
If her testosterone or estrogen is to high she should be banned because any other athlete who uses the medications that it takes to go through transition would be banned from competition.

I truly believe that this is how it should be because I believed that I was going to see a straight man walking out to compete but having gone through transition years ago as long as she can pass the doping test requirements and has the same hormone function as a woman I don’t see an issue to be honest. Its crazy to think about but I don’t have a problem with the gay community or trans community I just believe that this situation has to have very strict rules surrounding her being able to compete.
They need to write hormone requirement levels for trans athletes I believe that is the only fair way for the women and men.

 

[Bigmurph6]

But, the International Olympic Committee has specific guidelines for transgender athletes to compete – testosterone levels must be below a certain level – and Hubbard has met the criteria since 2015.

Well damn I completely missed this part were they already have written rules but test levels have to be below a certain level sounds like some bullshit to me what’s the testosterone level that they allow in woman’s testing?

 

[Bigmurph6]

@WFF if you have any opinions I would really like to hear from a female how they feel about this happening it really only effects women’s sports.

 

[JLee]

The part the bothers me as she was pretty established as a male lifter then transitioned. To be clear Im not bothered by her transitioning, to each their own but the competing part I have an issue with.

 

[Bigmurph6]

I don’t blame you I probably still do also after I saw the part that test levels had to be below a certain level? Whats that level because if she competes with more testosterone than other females that’s doping by definition

 

[Kad1]

This is total BS

 

[Poppy]

There’s got to be a definitive cutoff!!

 

[Bigmurph6]

Im really curious about the exact numbers

 

[Rusty]

I don’t know about it. The guy has had 35 years to have the strength built into his soft tissue and joints as well as haveing all that time previously to build man muscles. I don’t know how much you lose with lower test levels. A week ago my test was down to 500 now it’s definitely lower than that and I am still moving the same weight as when it was 1800 test. Granted it has only been a short time. So I really just putting thoughts out there not being dogmatic about this.

 

[JLee]

We were just discussing doping in athletes in another thread. So my question is could she use AAS and then tank it before drug testing and still be competitive?

 

[Bigmurph6]

I believe so

 

[Bigmurph6]

We know how to skew tests using base products

 

[JLee]

There’s a very funny, borderline inappropriate South Park were Macho Man competes in woman’s crossfit to get back at an old girl friend. Relates a bit to do with this thread.

 

[Bigmurph6]

That’s a hilarious episode remember when you could still be funny in America now you can’t say anything SMH

 

[JLee]

I can’t believe they can still get away with it!

 

[Bigmurph6]

I didn’t even know it was still on lol

 

[Tack]

I think we need to take a hard look at PEDs in sports, and come up with a reasonable conclusion of how it should exist, and stop having it be such a taboo subject. Which would also open up more research based discussion on where transgenders fit in.

Cause this isn’t about what parts you do or don’t have, even though media loves to jump to that conclusion. Its about the performance enhancing effects of previously being one gender, or the effects of hormone replacement therapy.

 

[NeuroRN]

I’ve actually been a long time advocate of having an olympics or stage for those openly doping in sports. 1. I think it would be awesome to see really what the body is capable of.
2. No one has to “cheat.”

Once trans and sports became a main topic I still felt like this category of athletics at least levels the playing field.