Transgender Weightlifter Flops At Olympics, Gets Knocked Out Of Competition Early After Failing On All Three Attempts
New Zealand transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard flopped at the Olympics after her addition to the team caused global controversy if not outrage. She made history as the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Olympics. But that didn’t do her any good as she got booted from the competition early after failing to complete her first three lifts during the women’s over-87-kilogram competition.
“Of course, I’m not entirely unaware of the controversy which surrounds my participation in these Games,” Hubbard said. “And, as such, I’d particularly like to thank the IOC, for, I think, really affirming their commitment to the principles of Olympism, and establishing that sport is something for all people. It is inclusive. It is accessible.”
Hubbard offered thanks to International Weightlifting Federation, because “they too have shown that weightlifting is an activity that’s open to all of the people in the world.”
From Yahoo:
Hubbard failed on her first attempt to get 120kg above her head, bailing out early. On her second attempt at 125kg, she was able to get the weight up and pumped her fist after in satisfaction, however judges ruled it a “no lift.”
She returned quickly for another attempt at 125kg only to fail to stand up with the weight above her head. Hubbard was the only one of the 13 finalists to not complete at least one lift.
After the bar fell to the ground, she patted her chest and made a heart out of her hands as a signal to those in attendance and, presumably, anyone watching around the world.
“Thank you so very much for your interest in my humble sporting performance tonight,” Hubbard said to the media. “I know from a sporting perspective I did not live up to the standards I put upon myself.”
Hubbard went on to thank fans in New Zealand, the Japanese people and a number of sports organizations including the Federation of International Gymnastics and the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
“I know my participation in these games has not been entirely without controversy,” Hubbard said, mentioning some “quite difficult times.”
From The AP:
Hubbard received applause and also applauded her fellow athletes when they were introduced on stage. Returning to compete, she took a moment to close her eyes, smile and take a deep breath. She overbalanced on her opening weight of 120 kilograms, taking the bar behind her shoulders.
Her second effort of 125 kilograms — a weight Hubbard has often managed in previous competitions — was ruled invalid on a majority decision by the referees. With New Zealand teammates and staff calling out encouragement, the third attempt was almost a repeat of the first.
Athletes are eliminated if they do not record at least one valid lift in each of the two parts of the competition.
Li’s victory gave China its seventh gold medal in weightlifting at the Tokyo Games. Her rivals never got close to the 320-kilogram winning total, with Emily Campbell finishing 37 kilograms behind to take silver. She became the first British woman to win a weightlifting medal.
Transgender Olympian Weightlifter Knocked Out Of Competition Early https://t.co/HhK29Itz74
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) August 2, 2021
JUST IN – Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics, is out of the women's competition early after failing on three lifts. pic.twitter.com/sNEszFObif
— Disclose.tv 🚨 (@disclosetv) August 2, 2021