Valentina Petrillo discovered her passion for athletics at just 7 years old, inspired by Italian sprinter Pietro Mennea’s gold medal win in the 200 meters at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
“I wanted to be like him,” says Petrillo, who was assigned male at birth but identifies as a woman. “I dreamed of wearing the blue Italy shirt and competing at the Olympics. However, I wanted to achieve this as a woman, because I didn’t feel like a man and didn’t see myself that way.”
Now, at 50, Valentina Petrillo is set to fulfill her dream in a groundbreaking way. In just two weeks, she will make history as the first transgender woman to compete in the Paralympics, running the 200 and 400 meters in the T12 category for visually impaired athletes in Paris.
Valentina Petrillo First Transgender Woman in Paralympic
Valentina Petrillo fell in love with athletics at just 7 years old when she saw Italian sprinter Pietro Mennea win gold in the 200 meters at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Now, at 50, Petrillo is set to make history as the first transgender woman to compete in the Paralympics. Although she dreamed of competing in the Olympics as a child, she knew she wanted to achieve this goal as a woman, as she never felt like she belonged in the male identity assigned to her at birth.
In just two weeks, Petrillo will run the 200 and 400 meters in the T12 classification for visually impaired athletes in Paris, marking the realization of her lifelong dream.
Also Read: Italy Wins Gold in Women’s Volleyball at Paris Olympics 2024
World Athletics’ Transgender Ban
Last year, World Athletics implemented a ban preventing transgender women from competing in female categories at international events if they transitioned after puberty. However, World Para Athletics, the governing body for para-athletics, has not adopted a similar policy.
Petrillo, diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a progressive eye condition, feels fortunate despite her struggles. She lived as a man for most of her life and only came out as transgender to her wife—who is also the mother of their son—in 2017. She started hormone therapy two years later.
Transgender Athlete Triumphs
“I have some vision problems and I’m partially sighted, plus I’m transgender. Being transgender can be challenging in Italy, but I stay positive,” she told The Associated Press during an interview at her training track near Bologna.
She started her transition journey in 2019 and achieved her long-held dream in 2020: to compete in sports as a woman. “I was 50 years old when I finally achieved this dream. It’s important to remember that everyone deserves a second chance in life,” she said.
According to the World Professional Athletes (WPA) guidelines, transgender athletes who want to compete in women’s sports must meet certain requirements. They need to declare their gender identity as female and provide proof that their testosterone levels have been below 10 nanomoles per liter for at least 12 months before their first competition.
Testosterone is a hormone that helps increase muscle and bone strength. Typically, men have much higher levels of testosterone compared to women.
Petrillo’s Performance Sparks Controversy in Paralympic
In sports where fairness among athletes with varying impairments is already a challenge, some competitors argue that Valentina Petrillo has an unfair edge.
Last year, Petrillo faced criticism in Spain after narrowly beating Spanish athlete Melani Berges in the semifinals of the world championships. This close defeat meant Berges did not advance to the finals and missed the chance to qualify for the Paralympics.
Berges described this as an “injustice,” explaining to Spanish sports site Relevo that, while she respects and accepts transgender people, sports require physical strength and attributes that she feels may not be equally matched.
The Spanish Paralympic Committee reiterated its position, stating that while they respect the current World Para Athletics regulations allowing trans women to compete—like Petrillo—they believe future guidelines should align more closely with Olympic standards.
Also Check: India’s Tour of England 2025
FAQs
Q.1. Who is Valentina Petrillo?
Ans. Valentina Petrillo is a 50-year-old transgender athlete who will make history as the first transgender woman to compete in the Paralympics, running the 200 and 400 meters in Paris.
Q.2. What inspired Valentina Petrillo to pursue athletics?
Ans. Petrillo was inspired by Italian sprinter Pietro Mennea’s gold medal win in the 200 meters at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Q.3. Why is Valentina Petrillo’s participation controversial?
Ans. Some competitors argue that Petrillo has an unfair advantage due to her transgender identity, which has sparked debate about fairness in sports among athletes with different impairments.
Q.4. What is World Athletics’ policy on transgender athletes?
Ans. World Athletics bans transgender women from competing in female categories if they transitioned after puberty. World Para Athletics has not adopted a similar policy.
Q.5. What are the requirements for transgender athletes in women’s sports?
Ans. According to WPA guidelines, transgender athletes must declare their gender identity as female and prove their testosterone levels have been below 10 nanomoles per liter for at least 12 months before competing.
