Laurel Hubbard hopes she's encouraged young transgender Kiwis "in all spheres of life" after making history at the Olympic Games.
The New Zealand weightlifter became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics on Monday night, when she appeared in the final of the Women's +87kg.
She placed last with three failed snatch lifts - a result she was disappointed in.
But the 43-year-old recognises the significance of her even appearing on sport's biggest stage, especially given the controversy surrounding her involvement in Tokyo.
"The world is changing," she told reporters on Tuesday morning. "There are opportunities for people to be out in the world and do things just as any other person would do.
"If there's one thing I'd like to pass on it's this: life is difficult. There are disappointments, I know I have some today, as do we all. But if you just keep pressing on, it does get better."
Watch the full interview above.
