Jun 20, 2021 - Sports

Laurel Hubbard to become 1st openly trans athlete to compete at Olympics

Rebecca Falconer

Laurel Hubbard of New Zealand competes in the Women's +90kg Final during the Weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games on April 9, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. — New Zealand's Laurel Hubbard at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, when she became the first openly transgender athlete to represent NZ. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

The New Zealand Olympic Committee announced Monday that Laurel Hubbard has been selected for the women's weightlifting team for the Tokyo Games — making her the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the event.

The big picture: Hubbard, 43, is part of a five-member Kiwi weightlifting team and will compete in the women's super heavyweight category. Meanwhile, BMX rider Chelsea Wolfe will become the first openly trans athlete to travel to the Olympics with Team USA, when she arrives in Tokyo as a reserve rider.

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Laurel Hubbard to become 1st openly trans athlete to compete at Olympics

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