Laurel Hubbard becomes the first openly trans athlete at the Olympics

Virgin Radio

4 Aug 2021, 14:00

By Virgin Radio - @VirginRadioUK

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

The Tokyo Olympics have been historic for a number of reasons; they are the first Games to be postponed by a year, there are no crowds allowed at any of the events, and in more positive news for Team GB, they are where diver Tom Daley won his first ever gold medal… 

But these Games are also historic for another reason - they are the first in history to feature openly trans athletes.

One such athlete is 43 year-old weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, who competed on Monday for her country, New Zealand. 

Speaking to RNZ in New Zealand about her transition, Hubbard said: 

“What people don't realise is I actually stopped lifting in 2001 when I was 23 because it just became too much to bear ... just the pressure of trying to fit into a world that perhaps wasn't really set up for people like myself.”

The sport, which was one of the few to have featured at the first Olympics in Athens in 1896, requires athletes to lift more than any other, however Hubbard was carrying more than just the weights as she came up against backlash over her inclusion in the event.

Responding to the backlash, the International Olympic Committee praised Hubbard’s ‘courage and tenacity’ for participating in the event, with medical and science director Dr Richard Budgett adding that “everyone agrees that trans women are women.”

In response to these comments, Hubbard said: “The Olympic Games are a global celebration of our hopes, our ideals and our values.”

“I commend the IOC for its commitment to making sport inclusive and accessible.”

Unfortunately, Hubbard’s attempts to progress in the competition on Monday were unsuccessful, but she still thanked her fans for their support. 

Whilst Hubbard doesn’t think that her participation in this year’s Games should be “historic”, there is no doubt that her courage in stepping up to the international stage has changed the prospects of future trans, non-binary and gender diverse athletes...

For more LGBTQ+ related content, check out Virgin Radio Pride, our brand-new pop-up station for the summer. You can listen to Virgin Radio Pride UK on DAB in London, online or via the Virgin Radio app.