Valentina Petrillo, a 50-year-old transgender athlete, made headlines at the Paris Paralympics. Despite not qualifying for the 400m T12 final, Petrillo ran a personal best of 57.58 seconds in her heat. Reflecting on her performance, she expressed disappointment but also hope that her son would be proud of her.
Petrillo, who was assigned male at birth, identifies as a trans dad. She recognizes that she may not fit everyone’s idea of a traditional father figure but hopes that her son will support and love her nonetheless. Emotionally overwhelmed, Petrillo shed tears as she emphasized the importance of treating trans people with kindness and understanding, as they face discrimination and suffer in society.
While Petrillo did not advance to the final, she recognized the beauty of the Paralympics and the supportive atmosphere within the stadium. She marked September 2, 2024, as a historic day, hoping that her presence in the competition would contribute to the eradication of discrimination and prejudice against trans individuals. Petrillo acknowledged the challenges faced by trans people, including losing jobs and being excluded from sports, leading some to experience severe mental health issues. By competing and making a statement, she aimed to pave the way for others to follow.
Petrillo’s journey to the Paralympics has been marked by resilience and determination. Diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition, at the age of 14, she had to give up running. However, at 41, she found her way back to athletics in the para category for males. Petrillo achieved great success, winning 11 national titles in the male T12 visual impairment class between 2015 and 2018.
Supported by her wife, Petrillo began living as a woman in 2018 and underwent hormone therapy, including testosterone suppression. In 2020, she competed in her first official race as a female para-athlete, winning gold in the 100m, 200m, and 400m T12 events at the Italian Paralympics Championship. She has also competed against non-disabled women and won two bronzes at the World Para Athletics Championships.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and World Para Athletics (WPA) have welcomed Petrillo and stated that individuals who are legally recognized as women can compete in female categories. However, German Paralympian Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt, who raced against Petrillo in the 200m T12 category, raised concerns about Petrillo’s advantage due to having gone through male puberty.
Despite the criticism, Petrillo remains determined and will continue competing. She will return to the track on Friday for the 200m T12 event, hoping to inspire others and challenge societal norms surrounding transgender athletes. Petrillo’s presence at the Paralympics serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusion, acceptance, and support for all athletes, regardless of their gender identity.