Transgender weighlifter withdrew from the Commonwealth Games

Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games after injuring their elbow.

Transgender athlete Laurel Hubbard from New Zealand competes in the women's 90+ kg weight class competition at the Weightlifting World Championships.

Source: EPA

The news came hours after they were cleared to compete in the women's heavyweight competition.

The 40-year-old previously represented New Zealand as Gavin Hubbard before their transition half a decade ago.

The decision to allow Hubbard to compete in the women's draw was met with anger, including by Australian Weightlifting Federation cheif Michael Keelan, who said Hubbard had an unfair advantage over other competitors.

The International Weightlifting Federation found Hubbard recorded a sufficiently low level of testosterone* at last year's world championships.

Testosterone is the male sex hormone, which plays a key role in building muscle mass.

 


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By Fares Hassan

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Transgender weighlifter withdrew from the Commonwealth Games | SBS Arabic