A transgender expert says she can understand Laurel Hubbard's reluctance to speak to media, in the wake of the Kiwi weightlifter's debut at the Olympic games.
Hubbard made Olympic history last night becoming the first openly trans woman athlete to compete at an Olympic games.
The 43-year-old's participation in the women's super-heavyweight 87+kg category has been a divisive issue.
She transitioned eight years ago and was allowed to compete after reaching acceptable testosterone levels set out by the International Olympic Committee.
Hubbard's first appearance was disappointing for her, she was unable to successfully lift any of her three attempts in the snatch and was eliminated without scoring.
In a rare interview Hubbard said her performance wasn't what she'd hoped but she's been humbled by the support she's received, adding that she was aware that her participation had been controversial and thanked the IOC for living up to the Olympic values and showing that sport is for all.
Waikato University Transgender Health Research Lab director Dr Jaimie Veale told Morning Report Hubbard's silence to the media was understandable.
"I know it does seem like she's been doing things like keeping her head down and not engaging any media, which I can totally understand from her perspective due to the backlash that is against her," she said.
"Unfortunately, we are seeing a climate where trans athletes don't feel safe speaking to the media."
Dr Veale said ultimately that means the debate around the participation of trans athletes is missing something.
"We're actually missing that humanity and that courage from these media stories," she said.
"I think that's a real loss to us all as it really risks the wider discussion about trans people's participation in sports becoming more dehumanising, and often centering around some of these quite ill-informed views."
