Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard must overcome a horrific physical injury she suffered in 2018 in order to have a chance at the Olympics. But it’s more than that. Laura’s success has led to an onslaught of transphobic diatrades like the world has never seen. It’s going to take encouragement to empower her.

The Kiwi governing body has not only helped her overcome obstacles in her push for Olympic selection, wrote Sports Bible, but they also supported her through a devastating arm injury in 2018 that threatened to derail her dream of competing in Tokyo.

“Best of luck Laurel Hubbard,” wrote LGBTI Rights Australia.

“It means Hubbard, who won silver at the 2017 world championships and was sixth after a severe injury in 2019, is almost certain to become the first transgender athlete to compete at an Olympics…
Under IOC guidelines, issued in November 2015, athletes who transition from male to female can compete in the women’s category without requiring surgery to remove their testes provided their total testosterone level in serum is kept below 10 nanomoles per litre for at least 12 months – a rule followed by the IWF

In 2015 the IOC made amendments to their qualifying guidelines which ultimately allowed for trans athletes to compete in women’s events depending on their testosterone levels.

As long as the athlete’s levels of testosterone were 10 nanomoles per litre for at least 12 months prior to competition, then they were eligible to compete.

For the Olympic Games, Hubbard’s inclusion will serve as a landmark moment.

But for Hubbard herself, she’ll be purely focused on coming away from Tokyo with a medal wrapped around her neck.

She is currently ranked fourth overall out of the 14 other qualifiers in the super heavyweight class, meaning she has a genuine shot of clinching gold.

You got this Laura Hubbard, go for the gold.

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