Laurel Hubbard To Become The First Transgender Athlete To Compete At The Olympics
Laurel Hubbard To Become The First Transgender Athlete To Compete At The Olympics
The issue of trans athletes has been a hot topic of late - but there's been a hugely progressive breakthrough...
Now, this has been a heavily debated topic for quite some time.
Ever since the Olympics allowed trans athletes to compete in 2016, there has been a solid divide in opinion over the matter.
While many are supportive of the inclusion of transgender athletes...
Others argue that it is unfair towards other athletes competing in the sport.
The subject of transgender female athletes is certainly the most debated...
Hi Daniel, you can abuse me all you like but facts matter.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 17, 2020
a) I support fairness & equality for all trans people.
b) Allowing trans women athletes to compete against women born to female biological bodies is inarguably unfair, unequal & dangerous. https://t.co/shAPFFFXIA
With people like Piers Morgan stepping in (even though no one asked).
He argued that female trans athletes have an "unfair advantage."
Claiming this is due to the fact they were born with male anatomy, consisting of testosterone and other male hormones that increase strength and stamina.
It has been argued that their competitors don't "stand a chance"...
I know this won't be popular but athletes born female cannot possibly compete on a level playing field with someone born male.
— Emma Louisa J 💕🥂🍾 (@Emmalouisajones) February 26, 2020
It's ludicrous and totally unfair to allow this to happen imo.
Meaning that many people feel that transgender athletes shouldn't be allowed to compete at all.
For instance, professional MMA fighter Ronda Rousey has voiced her opinion.
She refused to fight trans fighter Fallon Fox in 2014.
"I feel like if you go through puberty as a man it's something that you can't really reverse."
"You can't just reverse that, there's no undo button on that. That's, unfortunately, her scenario," she said of her decision.
And New Zealand transgender weightlifter, Laurel Hubbard, faced a lot of criticism after she won a gold medal at the Pacific Games.
New Zealand-based lobby group, "Speak Up For Women," advocates that sport must be categorized by sex rather than gender identity.
They called on the country's Olympic committee and sports minister to "defend women's sport."
"Kiwis (New Zealanders) know that males competing in women's sport is blatantly unfair," the group's spokesperson Ani O'Brien harshly said.
Nevertheless, transgender athletes are allowed to compete here in the United States...
And transgender girls are permitted to participate in sports that match their gender identity at schools and colleges across the country.
However, that has slowly been changing in certain states.
In February, the State of Mississippi voted unanimously to ban young transgender athletes from competing in female sports in all schools and universities.
2 months later, many other states including Florida have followed suit.
But as the debates rage on, there has been some progressive news...
As Laurel Hubbard is set to make history once more.
Competing in the Tokyo Olympics.
She;ll be the first trans athelte in history to compete at this level.
And will be competing in the weight lifting event.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has updated their rules in the run up to these games.
Meaning Hubbard can now compete in the women's super heavyweight (87kg-plus) category for weightlifting.
Hubbard previously competed in male weight lifting competitions.
Before she transitioned back in 2013.
There are still certain guidelines for trans athletes in the Olympics.
Including that athlete's levels of testosterone were 10 nanomoles per litre for at least twelve months prior to competition.
It's a landmark moment for trans athletes.
But for Hubbard, her focus is purely personal.
She's currently ranked at 14th out of the competitors.
Which means she is in with a shot of taking home a medal.
Good luck to Hubbard and all who are competing!
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