Laurel Hubbard of New Zealand made history on Monday night when she competed in weightlifting and became the first openly transgender woman to participate in the Olympics.

Hubbard, 43, was in the heavyweight division and had an outside chance at a medal. But she failed to complete any of her three lifts in the first half of the programme, eliminating her from medal contention.

After her third miss, she pounded her heart, lifted her hands in thanks, took a bow and left the stage.