Laurel Hubbard competing at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Photo / GettyIOC President Thomas Bach has backed the inclusion of New Zealand transgender athlete Laurel Hubbard at the Tokyo Olympics saying you can't change the rules now. Laurel Hubbard competing at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Her gold medal wins at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa, where she beat Samoa's Commonwealth Games champion Feagaiga Stowers, sparked outrage in the island nation. Australia's weightlifting federation tried to block Hubbard from competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games but it was rejected by organisers.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 17, 2021 20:15 UTC