Fri 24 Mar 2017 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
An Australian International weightlifting competitor has questioned whether the inclusion of transgender athlete Laurel Hubbard in the event disrupts an even playing field. Laurel Hubbard won gold in the 90+ division of the Australian International Hubbard took out the gold medal in the 90kg+ division over the weekend, making her the first trans athlete from New Zealand to compete internationally in weightlifting. Following the event fellow weightlifter, Deborah Acason, who competed in the 75kg division, called into question the inclusion of Hubbard in the sport. Stuff has reported Hubbard’s competitor as saying “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?” The two-time Olympian told One News "It's difficult when you don't believe you're in that situation and being in an even playing field," she said. "We've got two categories here, it's been great that women can do the sport of weightlifting...but I think we need to look at a decision where we can give people in this situation have a category where everyone can compete on an even playing field."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 24th March 2017 - 10:07am