Paris, 2 September 2024 (TDI): Valentina Petrillo is poised to make history as the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Paralympic Games.
Representing Italy in Para-athletics, Petrillo, a 50-year-old sprinter, will participate in the women’s T12 classification for athletes with visual impairments.
Her events are scheduled to commence on Monday, with the T12 200m race at 09:48 BST, followed by the 400m later in the competition.
Petrillo, who began her transition in 2019, said that her participation at the Games serves as a powerful symbol of inclusion. “It is an important statement for everyone,” she said.
However, her participation has sparked debate. Mariuccia Quilleri, a lawyer and athlete representing several competitors who oppose Petrillo’s inclusion in women’s events, argued that the decision prioritises inclusion over fairness.
“There is not much more we can do,” she remarked.
Last year, Petrillo earned two bronze medals at the World Para Athletics Championships, showcasing her capabilities on the international stage.
The issue of transgender participation remains complex and controversial across global sports. While the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) allows each sport’s governing body to set its own rules, there is no unified stance.
World Athletics, for instance, has banned transgender women from competing in female categories at international events, citing fairness for female athletes.
However, World Para Athletics permits individuals legally recognised as women to compete in the category aligned with their impairment.
“World Para Athletics will handle any cases involving transgender athletes in accordance with the International Olympic Committee’s transgender guidelines,” reads the official policy.
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IPC President Andrew Parsons stated that while Petrillo is welcome under current World Para Athletics policies, he hopes for a more unified approach across sports in the future.
“We need to, based on science, develop a more coherent stance on transgender athletes,” Parsons noted.
He added that while he anticipates criticism over Petrillo’s participation, the IPC must adhere to existing rules. “Our rules are clear, and we must respect them.
But, we also need to treat all athletes respectfully,” Parsons said.
Valentina Petrillo
Petrillo, diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition, at 14, previously competed in the male T12 category, winning 11 national titles between 2015 and 2018.
With her wife’s support, she began her transition in 2018 and commenced hormone therapy in January 2019.
The Paralympic Games, currently underway in Paris, are scheduled to run until September 8.
