I will be a role model' -First transgender Paralympian, 50, breaks silence on criticism of her competing at Paris 2024

The first transgender Paralympian has issued a defiant message about inclusion ahead of competing at Paris 2024. Visually impaired athlete, Valentina Petrillo will represent Italy in the women's T12 200m and 400m sprints, having claimed bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2023.
Petrillo was born male with the name Fabrizio and transitioned in 2019 after undergoing hormone therapy. The 50-year-old was also born with Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition that has no cure. Her rival, German Paralympian, Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt fears Petrillo has an 'advantage' in the 200m as 'she has lived and trained as a man for a long time' while one Spanish lawyer called the Italian's qualification 'unfair' but despite the controversy, Petrillo is ready for the Games and wants to use them as an opportunity to teach people about 'inclusivity'. 'Honestly, I can't wait to be in Paris and race on that beautiful purple track and in front of all that enthusiastic crowd. I think there will be a lot more love for me than I can imagine,' Petrillo said, via Relevo. 'It's only fair that each of us can express ourselves in our own gender. Sport should teach us the value of inclusion and this is fundamental for people's happiness.

'I have learned to let go of what I cannot control. I am now psychologically stronger than I was some time ago and this is also due to the support of my psychologist. People always criticise, for whatever reason, and that is why in my case they are even more likely to do so.
'I gradually understood that you have to live with people's envy and jealousy. unfortunately, but for my part I am aware that what I do is real and therefore I have nothing to fear.
'I can win a medal, but I have to do better than my personal best from last year (58.011), because the level has increased.
'I am absolutely aware of the social and cultural value of my presence in Paris 2024. I will do everything possible to rise to the occasion and achieve a sporting result of a certain competitive value.
'There is a community that supports me and looks up to me, but even those who are not from the LGTBIQ+ world encourage me, because they see me as an inspiring role model and this for me is the most beautiful thing.' The sprinter's participation has sparked controversy and debate following the gender row involving Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting that engulfed the Olympics. Despite being disqualified from competing at the World Championships for failing a gender test, both Khelif and Yu-ting insisted that they were born female and had never identified any differently, each going on to claim triumphant gold medals in their respective weight classes.

20/08/2024 2:26PM

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