Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard has thanked the International Olympic Committee for the inclusive policies that will allow her to compete at a Games as a transgender athlete. Her qualification has been divisive, however, with some questioning the fairness of transgender athletes who have been through male puberty competing against women, especially in power sports. Last month, Belgian competitor Anna Vanbellinghen publicly stated allowing Hubbard to compete in the women's 87+ category in Tokyo was a 'bad joke.' Hubbard is not the first transgender athlete to feature in Tokyo. Budgett reiterated on Friday the IOC's view that 'transwomen are women' and should be included in women's sport 'when we possibly can'.

Source: Daily Mail July 30, 2021 15:22 UTC