Competitors accuse trans woman weightlifter of unfair advantage
A transgender New Zealand weightlifter’s win in an international competition has caused controversy for some competitors.
Lauren Hubbard, a trans woman, won at the Australian International event last Sunday in Melbourne.
She lifted 123kg in the snatch discipline as well as a 145kg clean-and-jerk lift.
With a total of 268kg, she lifted 19kg more than her second-place competitor.
After Hubbard won gold, she was congratulated by competitors.
But Australian bronze medallist Kaitlyn Fassina suggested that Hubbard should not have been placed in the same category.
She said: “She is who she is. That’s the way the politics…and what the New Zealanders have decided. I can’t say much more than that. She is seen as female and that’s the way it is.”
Deborah Acason, a two-time Olympian, added: “If I was in that category I wouldn’t feel like I was in an equal situation. I just feel that if it’s not even why are we doing the sport?”
Hubbard was “overwhelmed” by the win, says Weightlifting New Zealand.
“She’s so genuine, she loves all her team-mates and her teammates are all really supportive.”
Meanwhile, a US transgender volleyball player has got her sights set on the 2020 Olympics.
Tia Thompson, 32, had been playing in the men’s division of USA Volleyball.
If Thompson makes it to the 2020 games, she will be pleased to find there will be transgender-friendly toilets there.
