Laurel Harper Is Poised to Make History

Laurel Harper has recently been selected for New Zealand’s weightlifting team for the Tokyo Olympics. At 43 years old, she will be the oldest female weightlifter to compete in the Games. This alone would be noteworthy, especially since she overcame a potentially career-ending injury in 2018. However, what makes her story particularly inspiring for many female athletes who face barriers is that she is transgender. Harper is set to become the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Olympic Games, breaking new ground and creating opportunities for other transgender athletes to participate in sports at all levels.

It’s important to recognize that a transgender female athlete does not inherently possess an advantage over cisgender athletes simply due to being assigned male at birth or having experienced male puberty. Just take a look at any athletic event; there are numerous variations in the bodies of cisgender athletes that could be deemed unfair. Therefore, to claim that being transgender provides an advantage is misleading at best.

I won’t give airtime to those who argue that Harper has an unfair edge—many likely haven’t even read this far before sharing their opinions on “biology” or “science.” More often than not, these reactions stem from unfounded fears rather than a genuine understanding of the situation. There are no two sides to this story; Harper is a woman who has qualified for the Olympics under the same guidelines that apply to all other female athletes.

Charlotte Clymer articulates this well. The International Olympic Committee permitted transgender athletes to compete as far back as 2004, but updated guidelines were put in place in 2015. Under these rules, any athlete transitioning from male to female can compete if their testosterone levels remain below 10 nanomoles per liter for at least 12 months. This is also the policy upheld by the International Weightlifting Federation. Notably, no surgical requirements exist because surgery is not essential for many transgender individuals. Moreover, such personal matters are irrelevant in the context of sports. New guidelines for transgender athletes are expected to emerge after the Tokyo Games to ensure that safety and inclusion remain priorities. As it stands, three transgender athletes are set to compete among 11,000 at the Olympics.

Harper was assigned male at birth and transitioned at the age of 35. Importantly, she began her journey as a professional athlete while living as a female. She earned a silver medal at the 2017 World Championships and placed sixth at the 2019 World Championships, one year after her serious arm injury.

It’s crucial to point out that Harper is not the top weightlifter in her category; she doesn’t even rank in the top ten. This observation isn’t meant to undermine her abilities as an athlete—she is incredibly talented—but her success is not solely attributable to hormone levels. Research has yet to demonstrate that transgender athletes have a competitive advantage over cisgender athletes. If Harper wins a medal, it won’t be due to her transgender identity.

Competing at an Olympic level demands skill, time, financial resources, opportunities, coaching, dedication, mental toughness, and support. Fortunately, Harper has an abundance of support. Kieran Smith, CEO of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, stated, “Our team embodies a strong culture of respect and inclusion. We are committed to supporting all eligible New Zealand athletes to ensure their mental and physical well-being is prioritized as they prepare for and compete in the Olympic Games.” Ritchie Lane, president of New Zealand’s weightlifting federation, praised Harper’s resilience and determination in overcoming significant challenges.

Transgender individuals often need to exhibit remarkable grit and resilience in daily life because their identities are questioned, faced with harassment, or even violence. Their experiences are frequently invalidated, and they are held to standards established for cisgender individuals. Transgender athletes want to compete alongside those they identify with. They seek the camaraderie, mental health benefits, and self-esteem boosts that sports can offer. No transgender athlete seeks to take opportunities away from others; being transgender is not a strategy for gaining an advantage. Yet, they often find themselves grateful for simply being allowed to participate.

After her selection to the team, Harper expressed, “I am grateful and humbled by the kindness and support I have received from so many New Zealanders.” This gratitude is shared, but it’s essential that kindness and support for transgender individuals become standard practice.

While the Supreme Court ruled that Title IX protects transgender students, numerous lawsuits and loopholes may still hinder transgender youth from accessing the education and sports they deserve. It is my hope that transgender youth and athletes everywhere see Harper’s journey and recognize that the platform they stand on is far broader than the narrow-minded views of a few.

Congratulations and best of luck, Laurel. Regardless of whether you win a medal, you have already achieved a significant victory for the transgender community.

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