Response from NZ Minister for Sport & Recreation re Hubbard

[Seraphinite]

In case this is of interest, I wrote to some politicians regarding the selection of Laurel Hubbard for the Tokyo Olympics (thanks to Speak Up for Women NZ who have a template letter on their website).

It seems that the politicians are hiding behind the Olympic Committee rules and still not taking a stance themselves. This was clear from the PM’s comments in the media and the response I received from the leader of the Opposition.

I thought some might be interested in the response from Grant Robertson, Minister for Sport & Recreation.

Where do we go with this if politicians don’t think it’s appropriate to be involved? And if discrimination and inclusion is a one-way street?

So it's really, really important to include TW even if this in turn excludes women because, you know inclusiveness. I despair. How many women are going to be killed, paralyzed or injured before this stops? Missing out isn't enough, being driven out of sport isn't enough, being scared/offended isn't enough. It's going to take actual (dare I say literal) martyrs isn't it?

Hmm good point about finding other examples where they got involved. Will need to research.
The fair play bit is such an embarrassing aspect of it. I honestly hope there’s some media commentary on that very point n

I got the same letter today. Completely dodges any of the issues about physical superiority and just dribbles on about inclusivity and the right to play sports.

Someone pointed out that the Olympics is about the most exclusive thing going, that's kind of the point.

I hope this letter comes back to haunt them at some point.
He is obviously aware that it is unfair for Hubbard to take part but won't get involved.
I hope women vote this guy out.

Did any politician make any comment on the infamous underarm bowl from the Aussie cricketer in the 1980s?
That was also within in the rules but not very sporting.

I received a communication too. I thought it was really fantastic that they've chosen to support all of their Olympic athletes after all LH hasn't broken any of the requirements set

@Cyclingmum50

I received a communication too. I thought it was really fantastic that they've chosen to support all of their Olympic athletes after all LH hasn't broken any of the requirements set

You’re in NZ? And you wrote to your sports minister? And received the same communication? And now you’re up at midnight starting threads about Mhairi Black’s speech in the UK parliament yesterday? Or you’re not in NZ and you wrote to the sports minister of another country?

Ok.

New Zealand love to be seen as the clean green holding, holding up to high standards of fair play etc country. The NZ marketing dept have done a great job of this because actually NZ isn't clean and green and isn't any different to any other country as regards fair play.

They were never going to say anything against Hubbard. He is from one of the wealthiest families in NZ and the father donates to the Labour party. NZ is a very very small place when it comes to these things.

Anyone seen this?

www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1109661/samoa-weightlifters-tokyo-2020-olympics

Samoa is sending all their qualifying athletes except their weightlifting team. They say it's because of covid - only the weightlifters are actually in Samoa, the rest are based overseas.

There are three in the team - two men and a woman, Iuniarra Sipaia, who lost a gold to Hubbard in 2017:

'I felt that it was unfair because we all know a woman’s strength is nowhere near a male’s strength no matter how hard we train.'

archive.li/4KTRG

No idea where you got the idea I was from NZ . Very strange

So why did you get a communication from the NZ minister for sport?

I think there are few politicians who would call this out. Realistically lots of countries are going to rush to find more men who want to compete in women’s sports because of the kudos of medals, though of course that may backfire on them, as I think it’s going to be mightily unpopular if/when these men start winning.

The reality is that the fault lies squarely with the IOC. These men are officially allowed to compete in the women’s section if they comply with the requirement for a slight reduction in testosterone. We can call them cheats and it seems obvious to me that any man willing to take a woman’s space in the team, let alone on the podium, must be a self-centered and unpleasant person, but they aren’t breaking any rules.

It’s the rules that are ludicrous and people of all stripes will take advantage of any loophole, as we all know.

We can call them cheats and it seems obvious to me that any man willing to take a woman’s space in the team, let alone on the podium, must be a self-centered and unpleasant person, but they aren’t breaking any rules.

But the rules were changed for a reason. It wasn't because women spontaneously decided to let men into women's sport it was because a group of men demanded the right to complete as women. More fool the sporting bodies that allowed it to happen but the TW that are stepping into women's sport are not innocent beneficiaries of a loop hole. They pushed for the creation of that loop hole.

• compete not complete