The British boss of American weightlifting has warned anyone stopping transgender athletes competing will be 'on the wrong side of history'.
Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Weightlifting, claimed Olympic teams should be able to achieve gender parity and be inclusive in the sport.
But he said allowing transgender people to compete must be balanced with 'fairness in competition'.
His comments come as a fierce debate rages over the inclusion of trans women in female sporting events.
Fans were furious when the Olympic committee said a transgender Kiwi athlete could compete in women's weightlifting.
Laurel Hubbard looks set to storm the event at the 2021 games in Tokyo after transitioning from a man to a woman in 2012.
Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Weightlifting, claimed Olympic teams should be able to achieve gender parity and be inclusive in the sport
His comments come as a fierce debate rages over the inclusion of trans women in female sporting events. Fans were furious when the Olympic committee said a transgender Kiwi athlete could compete in women's weightlifting
Laurel Hubbard looks set to storm the event at the 2021 games in Tokyo after transitioning from a man to a woman in 2012
But Mr Andrews, who lives in Denver, Colorado, after growing up in Britain, slapped down those trying to push her out of the sport.
He told MailOnline: 'Those who totally disfavour inclusion will likely be on the wrong side of history. However, this must be balanced with fairness in competition.
'The key challenge for sport federations is to define what fairness looks like, in order to become more inclusive.'
Asked whether Team GB needs to be more inclusive, he said: 'There is no reason why every country shouldn't be able to achieve gender parity in weightlifting.'
He added: 'Internationally, nations are working together and break down the barriers of inclusivity within our sport.'
Mr Andrews said his team's transgender policy gives athletes a 'fair process on whether they can compete' and said he is committed to providing equal opportunity.
But Mr Andrews, who lives in Denver, Colorado, after growing up in Britain, slapped down those trying to push her out of the sport
The team's website outlines the process prospective transgender athletes must go through to make the cut.
They will bring together an Eligibility Committee made up of a member of USA Weightlifting Sports Medicine Society, an independent person and an elite athlete.
They will then hold an interview with the applicant, look at their medical and study their legal records.
For a transgender woman - a women who has transitioned from a man - to enter they must fit a number of categories.
USA Weightlifting says they 'should show evidence that hormone therapy has been administered in a verifiable manner and for a sufficient length of time (two year minimum) to minimize gender related competitive advantages'.
It continues: 'If gender confirmation surgery is desired, the surgery has been completed, the athlete is in good health, and has been cleared by their surgeon to participate in Weightlifting.'
And it adds: 'Legal recognition of assigned/identified gender has been received from one or more appropriate authorities.'
The criteria are similar for transgender men who have transitioned from women, with one extra point saying any hormone therapy is monitored by a medical doctor.
Mr Andrews, who did an MBA at Bradford University and previously headed British ice hockey champions Coventry Blaze, explained the reason for the policy.
He said: 'Through our policy for transgender inclusion, we recognise the importance of gender identity and expression regardless of gender assignment at birth,
