For the first time in history, a man turned into a woman participates in the Olympics

This summer, the Tokyo Olympics will witness a new and historic event, as transgender weightlifter from New Zealand, Laurel Hubbard, will participate in the women’s heavyweight weightlifting competition.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee confirmed in a statement issued today, Monday, Hubbard’s participation in the Summer Olympic Games, which are scheduled to start on July 23, saying: “Five athletes have been selected for the New Zealand weightlifting team for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The team included three women. They are Laurel Hubbard, Kana Andrews Now, Megan Signal, and two men, David Lee and Cameron McTaggart.”

According to New Zealand Olympic Committee President Keren Smith, the 43-year-old Hubbard “fully meets IWF standards and IOC guidelines for transgender athletes”.
Hubbard, who went by the name Gavin before she converted in 2012, will be the first transgender athlete to compete in the Summer Olympics.

In January 2016, the International Olympic Committee’s Medical Committee recommended that transgender athletes be allowed to participate in the Olympic Games, even if they have not undergone a sex change operation.

Source: TASS