Laurel Hubbard has made history today by becoming the first transgender woman to compete at the Olympics.
The 43-year-old took part in the women's +87kg weightlifting on Monday, August 2, at the Tokyo International Forum.
Sadly, Hubbard's Olympic dreams were short-lived, as she was knocked out of the competition after a failed attempt to lift 120kg and two failed efforts at 125kg in the snatch.
Regardless of her performance, Hubbard was showered with praise from the crowd as she received a standing ovation for her historic participation.
She is one of five women competing for New Zealand at the delayed games this year.
This comes after the IOC confirmed per Reuters that Hubbard, who was assigned as male at birth but came out as transgender back in 2013, would be able to join the women's team, in an official statement issued on Saturday, July 17.
Commenting on the decision in an official press conference, IOC chief Thomas Bach stated: "The IOC is in an inquiry phase with all different stakeholders… to review these rules and finally to come up with some guidelines."
Bach continued: "The rules are in place and the rules have to be applied and you cannot change the rules during an ongoing qualification system. This is what all the athletes of the world are relying on: that the rules are being applied."
On Friday, July 30, Hubbard responded to the ruling in an official statement of her own, claiming per the Daily Mail:
"I see the Olympic Games as a global celebration of our hopes, ideals, and values and I would like to thank the IOC for its commitment to making sport inclusive and accessible."
Hubbard's appointment to the role has proven divisive, with many critics arguing that she could have an unfair advantage over her cisgender competitors.
While Hubbard is the first openly transgender athlete to be picked for a spot at the Olympics, per BBC, she is not the first to compete at the Games.
On Wednesday, July 21, Candian soccer star Quinn, who uses the pronouns they/them, became the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Olympics.
Quinn shared their thoughts after their team's first match against FC Tokyo, writing: "I feel optimistic for change. Change in legislature. Changes in rules, structures, and mindsets.
"Mostly, I feel aware of the realities. Trans girls being banned from sports. Trans women facing discrimination and bias while trying to pursue their Olympic dreams. The fight isn’t close to over… and I’ll celebrate when we’re all here."