Hubbard to become first transgender Olympian

New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will become the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympic Games in Tokyo next month.

Hubbard was named to represent the country at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics yesterday in the women’s super heavyweight category.

She was named in a five-strong New Zealand weight-lighting team, alongside Kanah AndrewsNahu (women’s -87kg), Megan Signal (women’s -76kg), David Liti (men’s +109kg) and Cameron McTaggart (men’s -81kg).

Hubbard, 43, transitioned in 2012 and became the first transgender athlete to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

She won silver at the 2017 world championships and was sixth in 2019 after suffering a major injury while competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

‘‘I am grateful and humbled by the kindness and support that has been given to me by so many New Zealanders,’’ Hubbard said.

‘‘When I broke my arm at the Commonwealth Games three years ago, I was advised that my sporting career had likely reached its end. But your support, your encouragement, and your aroha carried me through the darkness.’’

New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Kereyn Smith said Hubbard had made a remarkable comeback since her injury and had performed strongly since returning to competition in 2019.

Hubbard had been confirmed eligible having met the IWF, IOC and NZOC eligibility criteria, including IWF eligibility criteria for athletes who transition from male to female based on IOC Consensus Statement guidelines.

‘‘It will divide people, there will be hard conversations. That is the world we live in, it’s not easy any more, you can’t hide. To Laurel’s bravery, she’s put herself out there, she’s a committed athlete,’’ Smith said.

‘‘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 that was particularly of note with male athletes transitioning and protecting women’s sport.

‘‘There is no simple answer, but the rules are the rules today and that’s the way we’re reflecting that position today as we announce the team.’’

Olympic Weightlifting New Zealand president Richie Patterson (a former Commonwealth Games champion lifter and three-time Olympian) said Hubbard had shown ‘‘grit and perseverance in her return from a significant injury and overcoming the challenges in building back confidence on the competition platform.

Under IOC guidelines, issued in November 2015, athletes who identify as female can compete in the women’s category provided their total testosterone level in serum is kept below 10 nanomoles per litre for at least 12 months, and cannot change to compete again as a man.

New Zealand will field its biggest weightlifting team at an Olympic Games.

All five are new to the Olympic arena, but Liti, 24, is the 2018 Commonwealth Games champion.