International Olympic Committee backs transgender weightlifter's selection for Tokyo, says to review rules later

Transgender New Zealand athlete Laurel Hubbard to compete in the women's event at the Tokyo Olympics (Reuters)

The International Olympic Committee on Saturday backed New Zealand's selection of transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard for the Tokyo Olympics despite criticism, saying that under the current rules - which will be reviewed in future - she can compete.

Hubbard is set to become the first transgender athlete to compete at the Games after she was selected for the New Zealand team in the women's super-heavyweight 87+kg category.