The Problems with Laurel Hubbard’s Qualifying for the Olympics as a Woman

Olympics & Laurel Hubbard: Transgender Athlete Problems | National Review . . . "So, we have Laurel Hubbard, born male 43 years ago, and now presenting as part of the New Zealand women’s weightlifting team for Tokyo 2020, to be held this summer. For reference: 1 kilogram is about 2.205 pounds. Competing in the highest women’s weight class, 87 kilograms+ (the top men’s class is 109kg+), Laurel will be the oldest, and most likely the heaviest, competitor in that event by some margin. The average age of the rest of the field is 24. Laurel was a national junior weightlifter as a boy but not Olympic standard as a man, even at peak performance. Laurel is currently ranked seventh in the world among women." . . .

. . . "Will Laurel Hubbard get a medal in Tokyo? Who knows. Those who defend Hubbard’s inclusion, such as Joanna Harper, say it’s okay, because “she probably won’t win.” So what? Competing in the Olympics is a rare achievement attainable by very few men or women in their lifetimes. For most of those who do, just being there is the pinnacle of their careers. Hubbard’s qualification for Tokyo means Kuinini “Nini” Manumua won’t be going. Nini is a 21-year-old who represents Tonga. Each weight class is limited to 14 competitors: the world top eight plus one from each continent, plus one from the home nation or by special invitation. By taking a slot, Hubbard pushes women down the rankings. Nini is the woman who’d have got the Oceania regional slot if Hubbard hadn’t qualified, pushing an Australian, Charisma Amoe-Tarrant, out of the top 8 and into that regional slot. If Nini is still fit in four years’ time, she may get another chance. She may not." . . .

AwakenWithJP  "Easy solution. All of the women can identify as gold medal winners. As a matter of fact, why even have the games. Everyone can identify as gold medalists and everyone can stay home."AwakenWithJP