Four years ago, weightlifter Laurel Hubbard transitioned from being a male to a female. She will now compete in the women’s weightlifting competition at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, in spite of protest.
The Commonwealth Games is an athletic competition (similar to the Olympics) between countries that include 53 members comprised of the former British Empire. The competition has carried on since 1930.
Cited as one of New Zealand’s “brightest medal prospects,” the 40-year-old is facing scrutiny over whether or not her competition against naturally-born women is fair. Otago University physiology professor Alison Heather said that “in general males outperform females across most sports, in weightlifting and strength sports…(and) that male to female difference can be as high as 25 percent.”
Join the conversation as a VIP Member