Commonwealth chiefs 'fully supportive' of trans weightlifter

Commonwealth Games organisers assured transgender New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard of their full support today as she prepares to compete at Gold Coast.

Hubbard, who will take part in the women's +90kg category, has attracted criticism from Australian weightlifting chief Mike Keelan, who believes she has an unfair advantage.

But Games chief executive David Grevemberg said: "It's very, very clear that Laurel is eligible to compete as a woman in accordance with the existing rules and we respect that right for her to compete."
He added: "We're fully supportive of athletes who are eligible to compete and this is an athlete who has competed in other International Weightlifting Federation competitions and we look forward to the success of all athletes competing."