Accepting a transgender, Laurel Hubbard of New Zealand, into women’s weightlifting in Tokyo 2020 sparked a new debate over transgenders in international sports competitions[/caption]
According to the definition of transgender it states, “Transgender people are people whose gender identity is different from the gender they were thought to be at birth.
“Trans” is often used as shorthand for transgender. When we’re born, a doctor usually says that we’re either male or female, based on what our bodies look like. “Trans” are often people who are born as males and identify themselves as females, and vice versa.
This is depending on how you feel inside and is a highly personal decision. In the opinion of this writer, it should be totally respected by everyone else as it is nobody’s business but their own.
Transition
As such, transgender personalities will then take steps to make the transition process to take the necessary measures needed to correspond with their gender. The definition of transition states, “Transitioning is the process of changing the way you look and how people see and treat you so that you become the gender you feel on the inside. Transitioning can mean lots of different things. It can involve medical treatment and hormones. It can involve changing your name and preferred pronouns.” Some people take hormones and may have surgery to change their body so it matches their gender identity.
The questions have begun to arise with regard to transgender athletes who are taking part in competition. Should they be allowed to compete according to their present gender identification? If a transgender male wants to compete in the male category of events, this will be less of a problem. But questions arise more when transgender female athletes have wanted to compete in the female categories of sports.
This question has aroused very high emotions of both sides of the divide. One side argues that transgender female athletes should not be included in the female category. The other side argues that they should be given the opportunity to do so, since they have no other category to compete in at sports events.
Before going any further, it should be firmly stated that this writer does not have an opinion one way or the other since this writer does not have the scientific knowledge, which needs to be essential in this case, to make such decisions.
Laurel Hubbard
This question has now come to the fore because of the fact that transgender athlete Laurel Hubbard has qualified for the Tokyo summer Olympics to represent New Zealand. She identified “herself” as a man named Gavin until she was 35 and competed against men before coming out as transgender in 2013, after which she began to compete against women. Now 43, she became eligible for the Olympics in 2015 when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) changed its rules to allow transgender athletes to compete as a woman if their testosterone levels are below a certain threshold.
But experts too, just as normal people, are divided on this approach. The ones arguing against such inclusion say that there will never be a level playing field. A study by World Rugby, which has banned transgender women from competing internationally, reported a gap of 30% between men and women in weightlifting ability.
“These differences are the result of biology,” the scientists concluded. “Males have higher muscle mass, larger muscle cross-sectional area, longer levers (different skeleton), less fat mass, higher tendon stiffness and higher cardiovascular capacity (larger heart and lungs, more haemoglobin),” they concluded.
As mentioned earlier this writer does not have the knowledge to express an opinion except that all people should be treated with respect and dignity.
Transgender athletes
Laurel Hubbard is not the only possible transgender athlete at the Olympics this summer. Given below are the other transgender female athletes that might be there in Tokyo according “Outsports”, a website supporting transgender athletes.
1. Tiffany Abreu - Brazil (volleyball):
By various reports, Abreu is a good-enough player to make the Brazil national volleyball team, but there are many other women in the same situation
2. Nikki Hiltz - United States (track and field):
Hiltz will be at the US Olympic Trials in late June having qualified for the 1,500 meters
3. Robyn Lambird - Australia (para-athletics):
Lambird has already won medals on the international stage
4. Ness Murby - Canada (para-athletics):
Ness has competed in previous Paralympics, and will have a great shot at competing in discus in Tokyo
5. Valentina Petrillo - Italy (para-athletics):
Petrillo has earned a spot with her times
6. Quinn - Canada (soccer):
Quinn has been a member of the Canadian women’s national team for years, winning a medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics
7. CeCé Telfer - United States (track and field):
Telfer has an uphill battle, needing to post an Olympic-qualifying time and compete at the US Olympic Trials. She previously won the Division 2 national championship
8. Chelsea Wolfe - USA (BMX):
Wolfe has an excellent shot at being named as an alternate for Tokyo with an outside shot at being named a competitor
Conclusion
Whilst Laurel Hubbard has faced opposition from fellow athletes, her government has come out fully in support of her.
“We acknowledge that gender identity in sport is a highly sensitive and complex issue requiring a balance between human rights and fairness on the field of play,” said New Zealand Olympic Committee Chief Executive Kereyn Smith adding: “We have a strong culture of ‘manaaki’ (respect) and inclusion and respect for all.”
That says it all. This is an issue that should be resolved with respect and dignity. But the sooner it is laid to rest, the better. Sport at the end of the day is all about achievement and enjoyment. And everyone regardless of their gender has the right to enjoy it fully.