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# Weightlifter blasts trans inclusion in the Olympics
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/weightlifter-blasts-trans-inclusion-in-the-olympics/
- Published: 2021-06-02T08:30:25.000Z
- Updated: 2021-06-02T08:30:25.000Z
- Description: Belgian weightlifter Anna Vanbellinghen described trans inclusion in professional sports as a “bad joke”.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Sport, Laurel Hubbard, LGBTQ, Tokyo Olympics, Trans athletes, Transgender

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/anna-van-bellinghen-600-400.jpg)

Anna Van Bellinghen

Three months before the **Tokyo Olympics**, Belgian weightlifter **Anna Van Bellinghen** has described trans inclusion in professional sports as a *“bad joke”* which is *“unfair”* to cis women such as herself. Speaking to *[Inside The Games](https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1108399/anna-vanbellinghen-hubbard?ref=scenemag.co.uk)*, Vanbellinghen insisted that she ‘fully supports the transgender community’, but said: *“This particular situation is unfair to the sport and to the athletes.”*

Here, she is referring to the participation of trans weightlifter, **[Laurel Hubbard](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/weightlifter-set-to-become-first-out-trans-olympian/)**, in the upcoming games. Hubbard transitioned in 2013, and has been eligible to compete in the Olympics since 2015 after a change in guidelines meant trans women could participate providing their testosterone levels were below 10 nanomoles per litre.

![](https://www.gscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/laurel-hubbard-nz-600-400.jpg)

Laurel Hubbard

In light of Hubbard’s qualification for the games, Van Bellinghen said: *“For athletes, the whole thing feels like a bad joke. Life-changing opportunities are missed for some athletes – medals and Olympic qualifications – and we are powerless.”* Despite the increasing hostility towards trans athletes, a [2021 study](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/study-finds-no-evidence-for-banning-trans-inclusion-in-sports/) found there is no evidence to support banning trans women from sports, saying any advantages should be related to an athlete’s individual ability.