Vibert, recounted her ordeal at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a lengthy social media post on Thursday.

She was in tears when she left the weigh-in room after the technical officials apparently took offence at her body shape and, contrary to new rules, ordered her to strip and change in front of them.

The IWF has responded in writing to a complaint from USA Weightlifting and apologised "for the discomfort, embarrassment and distress Ms Vibert experienced during her weigh-in procedure in Saudi Arabia".

It also said, "The IWF also ensured that fair, confidential and independent mechanisms are in place to review this kind of complaint."

More than 10,000 people reacted to the post on Vibert's Instagram, and it led to many comments of support across other platforms.

Bcause the World Championships were hosted by Saudi Arabia, there were also a number of anti-Islamic comments despite the fact that the incident did not involve anybody from Saudi Arabia.

"We stand by Kate and applaud her courage to share this experience publicly," USAW said.

"It should not have taken Kate’s Instagram post to elevate this incident to our leadership team’s attention.

"While we were on site in Riyadh to provide support to Kate during this incident, we could have been quicker to bring this matter to IWF decision-makers and demand action.

"We are using it as an opportunity to retrain our team…"

Former gymnast Vibert, 24, said she was told to change from a singlet at her weigh-in by two technical officials who "expressed their disapproval, pointing repeatedly at my chest".

"They both spoke to each other in a language I couldn't understand, and told me 'no, unacceptable' while staring and pointing directly at my breasts… they seemingly took offense to my natural body under the singlet.

"The chest area of the singlet violated absolutely no rules for IWF costume guidelines."

The same type of singlet was worn by other athletes without any problems.

Having been ordered to change her costume, Tokyo 76 kilograms silver medallist Vibert asked her coach Spencer Arnold for her competition singlet.

"When I had the costume, the same officials ordered me to change into it in the weigh-in area.

"They did not turn around or make any indication of leaving to give me privacy to strip naked.

"I asked them to leave so that I could change into the 'acceptable' singlet, and they tried to say no before I told them it was against the rules for them to see me naked, which is the entire purpose of having this new singlet rule in place.

"When they saw my breasts looked the same in the competition singlet, they continued to make faces at my body but knew they could not argue with my compliance of the rules.

"I was embarrassed, humiliated, and angry. I was crying before even leaving the weigh-in area, sick of being treated like this in weightlifting, during my time in gymnastics, and in day-to-day life."

Vibert, who finished fifth at 71kg in Riyadh and was overtaken in the Paris 2024 rankings by team-mate Olivia Reeves, said, "I'm sharing this not for pity, but for the women in sport that don't necessarily look like their peers.

"I have struggled with this my whole young adult life, and considered breast reduction surgery for years due to being treated differently due to the way my natural body has developed.

"It is so disheartening to know the barriers women still encounter in sport."

She said weightlifting and the rest of the sports world was "far from a safe and inclusive environment for all".

A senior official from the IWF had apologised on hearing of the incident, Vibert said.

"We were told that it should not have happened and we were not in the wrong at all.

"A weightlifter is a weightlifter and there is no way to look like one. Let's focus on lifting heavy weights and less on each other's bodies, okay?"

The USAW statement, issued by chief executive Matt Sicchio, said, "Three other athletes, including another member of Team USA, weighed in with the same singlet design as Kate, under the watch of different technical officials and without incident.

"Kate deserved to be treated equitably and professionally. We share her anger and dismay that she was not.

"USAW is submitting a formal complaint to the IWF to demand accountability from the technical officials responsible for Kate’s weigh-in and action from the IWF to ensure no such experience happens to any other athletes at future IWF competitions.

"We are asking the IWF for swift and decisive action on this matter."

When asked to comment, the IWF said in a statement: "Today, the IWF sent a letter to the President/CEO of USA Weightlifting Mr Matt Sicchio, whereby it acknowledges the unfortunate situation that occurred at the 2023 IWF World Championships.

"At the same time the IWF apologises for the discomfort, embarrassment and distress Ms Vibert experienced during her weigh-in procedure in Saudi Arabia.

"We are the ultimate organisers of the event, so we are responsible for the protection, safety and wellbeing of the athletes during that event.

"The IWF also ensured that fair, confidential and independent mechanisms are in place to review this kind of complaint."

The IWF also reiterated that it "takes these matters very seriously" and underlined to USAW that it "will do its utmost to avoid similar situations in the future".