Tuckahoe NY Pride

Laurel Hubbard is a New Zealand weightlifter who competed in the women’s +87 kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, becoming the first openly transgender woman to participate at an Olympics. Hubbard previously competed in men’s weightlifting before transitioning and returning to elite competition in the 2010s under international eligibility rules. She won medals at Oceania and Commonwealth-level events and qualified for Tokyo via rankings. Her selection prompted global debate about fairness, inclusion, and sports policy, while Hubbard emphasized her love of the sport and desire to compete respectfully. After Tokyo, she announced plans to step back.

Quote: “All I can do is be myself, do what I do and if people find inspiration then that’s great but it’s not what I’m setting out to do.”

Photo credit Scott Barbour