Laurel Hubbard: See Photos Of The First Openly Transgender Olympian

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July 19, 2021 1:51PM EDT

Laurel Hubbard will make history at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, when she competes as the first openly transgender athlete. Check out photos of the New Zealand weightlifter here.

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Laurel Hubbard

Laurel Hubbard
Mike Nelson/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Laurel Hubbard will make history when she competes in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics as the first openly transgender athlete. The International Olympic Committee stood by its decision to let her compete in a Saturday July 17 press conference. “”The rules for qualification have been established by the International Weightlifting Federation before the qualifications started,” IOC president Thomas Bach said in a press conference, according to Reuters. “These rules apply, and you cannot change rules during ongoing competitions.”

Laurel began competing in weight-lifting competitions in the 90s. She originally competed against men, and held records as a junior weightlifter. After stopping in 2001, Laurel transitioned in 2012 and began competing in competitions in 2017, following new guidelines regarding transgender athletes from the IOC.

Despite her inclusion on the New Zealand team being a historic affair, Laurel has caused some controversy as some people have debated whether it’s fair for a transgender woman to compete against cisgender women.

Scroll through our gallery to see photos of Laurel competing.

July 19, 2021, 12:05PM
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Laurel Hubbard at the Commonwealth Games (2018)

Laurel Hubbard at the Commonwealth Games (2018)
Mark Schiefelbein/AP/Shutterstock

Laurel Hubbard competed as part of the +90kg weightlifting competition at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. She suffered a career-threatening elbow injury, according to The Guardian.

July 19, 2021, 12:05PM
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Laurel Hubbard At The Weightlifting World Championships (2017)

Laurel Hubbard At The Weightlifting World Championships (2017)
Mike Nelson/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Laurel Hubbard competed at the Weightlifting World Championship in Anaheim, California in 2017. She came in second place in her competition.

July 19, 2021, 12:05PM
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Laurel Hubbard at the Weightlifting World Championships (2017)

Laurel Hubbard at the Weightlifting World Championships (2017)
Mike Nelson/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Laurel Hubbard poses alongside Sarah Elizabeth Robles and Shaimaa Ahmed Khalaf Haridy, after coming in second place in the 2017 Weightlifting World Championships. Laurel has four silver medal wins, according to her International Weightlifting Federation stats. 

July 19, 2021, 12:05PM
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Laurel Hubbard at the Weightlifting World Championships (2017)

Laurel Hubbard at the Weightlifting World Championships (2017)
Mike Nelson/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Laurel Hubbard took home the silver medal at the Weighlifting World Championships in 2017. She’s won the gold at the 2019 IWF World Championships and 2019 Oceania Senior Championships, according to the IWF.

July 19, 2021, 12:05PM