Transgender Weightlifter

Powerlifting is an interesting sport; requiring focus, drive, and most importantly strength. The combination of these three has the ability to produce a champion. That is exactly what Laurel Hubbard accomplished at the 2017 World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand. Laurel competed in the women's 90kg class (Armen, 2017) and was able to set a new world record with a snatch of 131kg and clean & jerk of 141kg. Her combined total came out to be 280kg, with the second best being 200kg according to the New Zealand Olympic Weightlifting. That is an 80kg difference. To put this into perspective for those of us who live in the United States, that is a 176lb difference between 1st and 2nd place. This is a huge accomplishment to Laurel and the sport of women's powerlifting. The only problem is that Laurel was born a man. 

There is a huge ethical debate on whether Laurel should have been able to compete in the first place. I do not think Luarel should have been given the opportunity to compete in women's weightlifting, due to the fact that she was born a man and has competed in competitive men's weightlifting prior to her transitioning. The main problem being the athletic advantage Laurel possess with being able to produce testosterone. There is a lot of research on how testosterone improves strength and body mass, with one research article stating that having higher levels of testosterone increases leg strength significantly (Storer et al., 2003). Transgender women also recieving estrogen therapy, still maintain elevated testosterone levels; with tho only significant difference being blood pressure in accordance to estrogen therapy(Deutsch et al., 2015). 

This ethical dilemma has been around, but has been becoming more relevant as more individuals go through transitionsing. On the basis of fairness, should transgeneder women/men be allowed to compete in their desired sport? According to NCAA, title 9 does not allow an individual to be excluded on the basis of sex to participating in a sport. Should we re-look at the sporting rules in order to help with this issue? Or should there be regulations in any way, shape, or form within athletics in accordance to individuals being allowed to participate. 

References:

“2017 World Masters Games.” Olympic Weightlifting New Zealand, 12 May 2017, olympicweightlifting.nz/2017-world-masters-games/.

Deutsch, Madeline B, et al. “Effects of Cross-Sex Hormone Treatment on Transgender Women and Men.” Obstetrics and Gynecology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4442681/.

Hammer, Armen. “Transgender Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard Sets Masters World Records.” Fitness, 2017, www.floelite.com/articles/5064690-transgender-weightlifter-laurel-hubbard-sets-masters-world-records.

Jjackson. “Title IX Frequently Asked Questions.” NCAA.org - The Official Site of the NCAA, 27 Jan. 2014, www.ncaa.org/about/resources/inclusion/title-ix-frequently-asked-questions#title.

Storer, Thomas W., et al. “Testosterone Dose-Dependently Increases Maximal Voluntary Strength and Leg Power, but Does Not Affect Fatigability or Specific Tension.” OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 1 Apr. 2003, academic.oup.com/jcem/article/88/4/1478/2845141.