An Italian sprinter who won 11 national titles as a man is now set to become the first openly transgender athlete to compete in women’s races at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris.
Visually impaired runner Valentina Petrillo, 50, who transitioned in 2019, has been selected to represent Italy in the women’s 200 and 400 meters races.
“I still find it hard to believe it and I’m keeping my feet on the ground because my chance to participate in Tokyo was missed by a whisker,” Petrillo said Monday after the selection.
“I will only start thinking about the Paris Games once I arrive in France.”
Petrillo’s selection for the Paralympics comes after she won bronze medals in the women’s 200 and 400 meters at the World Para Athletics Championships last year in Paris.
Prior to transitioning, Petrillo had won 11 national titles in the men’s category.
Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee, told BBC Sports that Petrillo would be welcome at the Paris games under World Para Athletics policies, which currently permits an individual legally recognized as a woman to compete in the category for which their impairment qualifies them.
The IPC allows sports governing bodies to set their own policies when it comes to participation.
Parsons said he was “prepared for the criticism” that will likely come with Petrillo’s participation in the upcoming games.
“We need to respect our rules, we cannot disrespect our rules,” he said.
“So for the moment World Para Athletics rules allow her to compete, so she will be welcome as any other athlete.”
Petrillo’s visual abilities are limited to 1/50th of the normal range after she was diagnosed with Stargardt’s syndrome at the age of 14, resulting in the deterioration of her sight.
The 2024 Paris Paralympics will kick off on Aug. 28 and run until Sept. 8.
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