Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard has received the support of the Australian rival for the Olympics, Charisma Amoe-Tarrant, as Kiwi's choice to Tokyo is reviving the topic on the highly sensitive and delicate question of women's inclusion and justice.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern from New Zealand claimed that all the parties were "following the rules" to make Hubbard the first transgender athlete to compete in the Olympics.
The 43-year-old met the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Committee's stringent eligibility conditions. However, her selection on Monday polarized the global view that trans athletes have an unfair advantage in comparison with other women.
But Amoe-Tarrant, named as Australia's Tokyo player in the super heavyweight 87kg plus category, had no problem with her inclusion.
"I have such great respect for her and hope that we can all meet and enjoy the Olympics," said the 22-year-old. "I wish you and the other lifters the best and hope. "Because the Olympics are so different from others right now. I've always had wonderful discussions with her before and I really wish her luck."
As a woman, IOC standards were introduced in 2015 which allowed every transgender athlete to compete in testosterone levels for a minimum of 12 months before the first competition.
Some scientists stated that the rules do little to alleviate the biological benefits of male puberty. Advocates of transgender inclusion believe that the transition process considerably reduces this advantage and that there is never any true level of play with physical distinctions between athletes.
Hubbard was offered full backing by Arden. The Prime Minister of New Zealand declared, "All parties here have simply complied with the regulations. "They respected the regulations, not only for Laurel but also for the team in New Zealand."
The Sports Minister Grant Robertson remarked on Tuesday that "she should be there and we are going to support her." Judith Collins, a conservative opposition leader, stated her amazement at all Olympians.
"I would hate seeing any harassment or awful words on Laurel as she is doing what she wants to do," stated Collins.
Save the Sport of Women In an antithesis to women's transgender, Australasia said that "the defective policy by the IOC allowed Hubbards to be selected," while in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Australian Deborah Lovely Acason, who competed at the same weight class against Hubbard, this year said she believed her inclusiveness risked driving girls away.
Hubbard is hesitant of the media herself and interviews rarely do. She talked of the Australian people in the Gold Coast as 'an incredible environment...They lived true to the credo of humanity, equality, and decency after having severely injured their elbows at the Commonwealth Games.'
Following her selection on Monday, she published her statement noting that "the generosity and support of many New Zealanders gave me gratitude and humbling."
"The silver mana fern comes from you all, and I'm going to wear it in pride," she remarked.