Samoa’s Prime Minister is appealing to the Pacific Games Council to address concerns around the eligibility of transgender athletes.
The issue has been ignited by Kiwi transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard winning three medals at the latest Pacific Games, which finished at the weekend.
Hubbard won two gold medals and one silver in the women’s 87kg and over category at the games. She has been cleared to compete under International Olympic Committee guidelines.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi made it clear he didn’t support trans athletes competing in women’s sport.
Malielegaoi said it was unfair on female competitors.
“This fa’afafine or man should have never been allowed by the Pacific Games Council president to lift with the women. I was shocked when I first heard about it,” he told the Samoa Observer.?
“No matter how we look at it, he’s a man (sic) and it’s shocking this was allowed in the first place.”
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