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New Zealander to become first transgender athlete at Olympics Laurel Hubbard Source:Sundayobserver A revision in Olympic qualification standards has set the stage for New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, a transgender woman, to qualify for the Tokyo Games, the New Zealand Olympic Committee announced Thursday. Hubbard would be the first transgender person to compete in the Olympics if she makes it. The NZOC said the International Weightlifting Federation had revised its qualifications due to the impact of COVID-19, opening the door for Hubbard to head to Tokyo. “The NZOC can confirm that revised International Federation (IF) qualification systems are very likely to see a number of New Zealand weightlifters, including Commonwealth Games transgender athlete Laurel Hubbard, allocated an IF quota spot for Tokyo 2020,” the NZOC said in a statement. “A previous requirement to attend six competition events has been reduced to four due to the impact of COVID-19.” ...