Current Events > Transgender Weightlifter To Compete In Olympics on New Zealand Women's Team

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.tmz.com/2021/06/21/laurel-hubbard-new-zealand-weightlifter-first-transgender-athlete-tokyo-olympic-games/

For the very first time, a transgender athlete will compete in the summer Olympics ... and shocker, there's already controversy. 43-year-old Laurel Hubbard -- who transitioned from male to female in 2013 -- has been selected to the New Zealand women's weightlifting team to compete in the women's 87-kilogram division. The issue?? Hubbard competed in men's weightlifting competitions before she transitioned -- and some critics are already blasting the situation as unfair to other athletes. But, the International Olympic Committee has specific guidelines for transgender athletes to compete -- testosterone levels must be below a certain level -- and Hubbard has met the criteria since 2015. In other words, she's good to go!!

The CEO of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Kereyn Smith, issued a statement Monday supporting Hubbard. "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. "As the New Zealand Team, we have a strong culture of manaaki and inclusion and respect for all. We are committed to supporting all eligible New Zealand athletes and ensuring their mental and physical wellbeing, along with their high-performance needs, while preparing for and competing at the Olympic Games are met. Not everyone feels that way ... back in May, Belgian weightlifter Anna Vanbellinghen reportedly called Hubbard's qualifying situation "unfair" and a "bad joke." Hubbard, though, wasn't letting the disapproval get in the way of her feat Monday ... saying, "I am grateful and humbled by the kindness and support that has been given to me by so many New Zealanders." The Games are set to kick off on July 23.

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um... is that pic before or after transitioning?

I hope men dominate women's sports. I wanna see the outrage and backpedaling

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Ardbert posted...

um... is that pic before or after transitioning?

After

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Hopefully my bookie will have betting odds on her events, guaranteed money

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Master Kazuya posted...

I hope men dominate women's sports. I wanna see the outrage and backpedaling

and when they don't where will you be?

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TheVipaGTS posted...

and when they don't where will you be?

Impressed that women can keep up

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Master Kazuya posted...

I hope men dominate women's sports. I wanna see the outrage and backpedaling

Where are men dominating women's sports exactly?

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Master Kazuya posted...

Impressed that women can keep up

And will you finally admit that all the fear mongering about this is nonsense?

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Lebronwon posted...

After

(_;)

TheVipaGTS posted...

And will you finally admit that all the fear mongering about this is nonsense?

With enough data sure

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CE at it again

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Also, what kind of name is Yanny?

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Master Kazuya posted...

With enough data sure

So if they dominate itll be enough data for you to say I told you so and force people to backpedal as you say, but if they dont dominate youll need more data before you admit you were wrong.

ok.

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[message deleted]

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oh no, this is trending on twitter. it's gonna be a shitstorm. :v

Well good luck to her then.

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Ardbert posted...

oh no, this is trending on twitter. it's gonna be a shitstorm. :v

Yeah seeing some viral tweets already

https://twitter.com/benshapiro/status/1406968567749394438

https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/1406990554215428100

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Ardbert posted...

Also, what kind of name is Yanny?

A Hebrew name meaning God is wait a minute *checks article again* I see what you did there >_>

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Shablagoo posted...

A Hebrew name meaning God is wait a minute *checks article again* I see what you did there >_>

:3

Shablagoo posted...

A Hebrew name meaning God is wait a minute *checks article again* I see what you did there >_>

I raged as soon as I saw the name because I was like "thanks for reminding me of that horrible meme from 5 years back"

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Tbh this is the best thing for everyone involved.

let her compete against her contemporaries. If she doesnt win gold then this whole argument can go away.

if she crushes the competition then sport associations and leagues need to take a long hard look at how to make everything equal for all genders.

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I almost feel like Ben Shapiro and Piers Morgan being against this by default makes it a good thing lol

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oh cool, Shapriro and Morgan care about women's rights now. I'm glad they've come around.

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Again as an athlete I disagree.

But let's see what happens if she dominates it will prove my point and we can ban trans athlete's from certain sports. (The other trans athlete is in BMX or something idc about that sport no big advantage or disadvantage)

Or I'll be proven wrong and admit so.

TheVipaGTS posted...

So if they dominate itll be enough data for you to say I told you so and force people to backpedal as you say, but if they dont dominate youll need more data before you admit you were wrong.

ok.

What's your stance on this? What if they dominate? Why do you need me to be okay with it for you to be okay with it?

I'm saying let them compete and you're still mad lol

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Master Kazuya posted...

What's your stance on this? What if they dominate? Why do you need me to be okay with it for you to be okay with it?

I don't need you to be. I'm just responding to a post you made.

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Oh okay, like putting people in the hot seat but can't take it yourself

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Master Kazuya posted...

Oh okay, like putting people in the hot seat but can't take it yourself

i wasn't putting you in the hot seat. you said you can't wait to see people back pedal, so i simply asked if you would do the same. you said with more data so i asked (or rather clarified based on what was said) why you wouldn't afford the same "more data" filter to those who would "backpedal"....sorry if those questions and clarifications were too "hot" for you.

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TheVipaGTS posted...

i wasn't putting you in the hot seat. you said you can't wait to see people back pedal, so i simply asked if you would do the same. you said with more data so i asked (or rather clarified based on what was said) why you wouldn't afford the same "more data" filter to those who would "backpedal"....sorry if those questions and clarifications were too "hot" for you.

I am very aware of what went down, including the part where you ignored my questions to you yet want to focus on me.

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Fine, I'll answer. I am ok with this and If they dominate I will change my stance with more data. I won't say i told you so or force you to backbedal since one competitor in one olympics isn't much.

So why would you not extend the same to people like me? if they dominate, from the sounds of your post, you'll be quick to say i told you so to me and laugh at me "backpedaling", but will need more data the other way around. Why the inconsistency?

For the record, i was "focusing on you" because you made the post and i was responding to it. I never even said anything about it, was just responding to you. I'd consider you stop saying things if you're going to act like a bitch when someone challenges it lol.

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I liked your edit without needing to call me a bitch. You should've left that as the final version.

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Hey man i call it like i see it...so i answered your question that you've been crying about. so why the double standard on your end?

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You have the same standard as me lol, we both need more data. You are trying to insult me today for an argument that wont matter until several months from now, from which you are literally imagining what kind of opponent I'd be and cowering in fear preemptively.

If that isn't already laughable, I don't know what to tell ya.

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*Sigh*

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Lebronwon posted...

Yeah seeing some viral tweets already

https://twitter.com/benshapiro/status/1406968567749394438

https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/1406990554215428100

Too 500

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I wonder if she was Olympic level as a man. By the looks of it she didnt even start competing until her 40s, which is absurdly old for an Olympic athlete.

At her most recent competition her Snatch is gold medal territory and her Clean and Jerk is top 10. With a similar performance she could definitely eye a bronze medal.

another one

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Fuck transphobia

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https://youtu.be/I4pTejRBxSc

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She met the criteria whats the issue

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Vigilancespren posted...

https://youtu.be/I4pTejRBxSc

Bender made a beautiful woman

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Not an expert on olympic weightlifting but don't women also use a lighter bar in their competitions?

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are you allowed to place bets on these competitions? >_>