A New Zealand weightlifter, who is a biological male who identifies as a female, claims that he does not have a “physical advantage” over his female competitors.
Laurel Hubbard, who made his “transition” to female four years ago, claims that there is no “fundamental difference” between himself and his female competitors, and that those who say otherwise are being “disrespectful.”
“Look, I’ve heard that and I think it’s incredibly disrespectful to the other competitors,” Hubbard said, responding to the coaches of his rivals who criticized him for having an “unfair advantage” over his competition because he lifted heavier weights as a man.
“I don’t believe there is any fundamental difference between me and the other athletes, and to suggest there is, is slightly demeaning to them,” Hubbard added.
Hubbard crushed his rivals at the Australian International weightlifting competition in Melbourne back in March, when he made four new records.
Hubbard’s success has caused some of his competitors to question whether he won fair and square.
Despite his critics’ objections, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed him to compete in the Commonwealth Games, a worldwide sporting competition that serves as a qualifying round for athletes headed toward the Olympics.