New Zealander Hubbard says she’s not a transgender role model, just an athlete

The first openly transgender Olympian said on Tuesday that she would likely retire from weightlifting and felt that her appearance at the Tokyo Games should not be historic and would be quickly forgotten as the sport becomes more open and inclusive.

Laurel Hubbard from New Zealand said that she had never sought publicity and exposure, nor did she consider herself a role model or a trailblazer, and that she just wanted to be seen as any other athlete on the sport’s biggest stage.

“I don’t think it should be historical. All I’ve ever wanted as an athlete is to be regarded as an athlete,” said Hubbard, 43, of her participation in Tokyo, which has been one of the most contentious topics in the run-up to the Olympics.

“As we move into a new and more understanding world, people are beginning to realize that people like me are just people. We are human and as such I hope that just being here is enough.”

The soft-spoken and media-shy Hubbard made an unexpected early start on Monday, eliminated within 10 minutes of her +87-kilogram competition after failing her first three lifts.

She was born male and transitioned eight years ago, and was allowed to compete in women’s events by consensus of the 2015 International Olympic Committee.

But their participation in the Games has fueled a great debate about whether being more inclusive of transgender athletes competing in female events means putting athletes who were born female at a disadvantage.

Hubbard, who was twice the age of the other competitors in her weight class, said it was time to consider retiring because age had caught up and the physical challenge of training and competing had become too demanding.

“What I hope is that, if I am in a position to look back, this is just a small part of the story, just a small step,” Hubbard said in an interview with international media, the first since she was selected for the team from New Zealand.

“I really hope that with time, any importance of this occasion is diminished by what is to come,” she said.

When asked if she was a role model for trans people, Hubbard replied “no, not really”.

“I’m not sure I’m a role model, it’s something I could aspire to be. Instead, I hope that just being here can provide some sense of encouragement,” she said.

“There are opportunities to live authentically, just as we are,” she said.