• Laurel Hubbard competes at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, on April 9, 2018. Hubbard was selected to New Zealand's team for the Tokyo Olympics on Monday. | REUTERS
    Laurel Hubbard competes at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, on April 9, 2018. Hubbard was selected to New Zealand's team for the Tokyo Olympics on Monday. | REUTERS

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Wellington – Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will become the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics after being selected by New Zealand for the women’s event at the Tokyo Games, a decision set to test the ideal of fair competition in sports.

Hubbard will compete in the super-heavyweight 87-kg category. Her selection was made possible by updated qualifying requirements. The 43-year-old competed in men’s weightlifting competitions before transitioning in 2013.

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