A petition calling on the Olympic Committee to put an end to transgender athletes competing in women's divisions has been quietly shelved as 'hate speech' ahead of her games debut.
New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard became the face of the petition after she was selected to compete in the +87kg women's weight division at the Tokyo Games.
More than 30,000 people signed the petition, which argued Hubbard's inclusion in the division put her competitors at a significant disadvantage.
The 43-year-old will take to the world stage on Monday night, where she is tipped to to take home the silver medal, behind China's Li Wenwen.
Hubbard transitioned from male to female in 2012, when she was 35 years old and after decades of competing in men's weightlifting competitions.
Daily Mail Australia revealed she captained her high school team to glory at Auckland's exclusive Saint Kentigern Boys' College in 1994, prompting thousands of readers to argue her inclusion in the female division was distinctly unfair.
She said she first took up the 'archetypally male' sport of weightlifting in an attempt to feel more masculine, but that 'wasn't the case'
More than 30,000 people have signed a petition stating the rules which allowed Hubbard to qualify as a woman - namely that her testosterone levels are below the qualifying amount and that she identifies as a woman - are not fair and should be scrapped
Laurel Hubbard, 43, was pictured on Saturday morning warming up and practicing her lifts under the watchful eyes of her coaches
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Hubbard came first in the 99kg over 16s Junior National Championships and second in the 108kg weight division at the Northern Region Secondary School Championships.
Despite her high school team's overall success, Hubbard's individual results in junior male competitions would never have been enough to qualify for a position on the men's senior national team.
Her high school 1994 yearbook reveals Hubbard was named only as a non travelling reserve for an international team which would represent New Zealand in Australia later that year.
'So many women feel betrayed,' a woman who knew Laurel when she was competing in male divisions said.
As the online campaign continued to gain traction, it was quietly removed from the webpage.
The woman behind the petition was notified via email of the decision.
'It was flagged as hate speech,' a spokeswoman for 'Defend Women's Sport' said.
She has since tried to have the petition reinstated, but are yet to receive a response from change.org.
Laurel just before she transitioned at 35 years old. Pictured (right) with her parents, including former Auckland Mayor Richard 'Dick' Hubbard' (centre)
The professional weightlifter will make history by becoming the first transgender woman to compete at the Olympics at this year's Tokyo games
Daily Mail Australia revealed she captained her high school team to glory at Auckland's exclusive Saint Kentigern Boys' College in 1994, prompting thousands of readers to argue her inclusion in the female division was distinctly unfair
The petition called the International Olympic Committee to reconsider the rules which allowed Hubbard to gain entry into the women's division in the first place.
As long as Hubbard's testosterone levels remain below the qualifying amount and she identifies as a woman, she is within regulations to compete.
But the petition argued this policy ignores several other crucial factors and should be reconsidered moving forward.
'This completely ignores the physical advantages in speed, height, stamina and strength that a male-born athlete will have,' the petition read.
'Women were not consulted and did not consent to this policy which will make a complete mockery of their sport.'
Hubbard will compete for Olympic glory on Monday, and is backed to win silver at $3.75.
China's Li Wenwen is expected to take home the gold.
Hubbard was pictured on Saturday morning warming up and practicing her lifts under the watchful eyes of her coaches.
Hubbard (pictured post-transition) rarely gives interviews but told Radio New Zealand in 2017 that she just wanted to compete in the sport she loves and had 'blocked out' criticism
Laurel Hubbard (circled, as Gavin) transitioned from a man to a woman in 2012 at 35, after training and competing in male weightlifting competitions since she was a teenager
