An Italian sprinter who won 11 national titles as one is now set to become first openly transgender to compete in women’s races at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris.
Visually impaired runner Valentina Petrillo, 50, who passed in 2019, has been selected to represent Italy in the women’s 200 and 400 meters.
“I still have a hard time believing it and I’m keeping my feet on the ground because my chance to participate in Tokyo was missed by a whisker,” Petrillo said on Monday after the selection.
“I will start thinking about the Paris Games only when I get to France.”
Petrillo’s selection for the Paralympics comes after she took bronze medals in the women’s 200m and 400m at last year’s World Para Athletics Championships in Paris.
Before the transition, Petrillo had won 11 national titles in the men’s category.
Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, said BBC Sports that Petrillo would be welcome at the Paris Games under World Para Athletics policy, which currently allows an individual who is legally recognized as female to compete in the category for which their disability qualifies them.
The IPC allows the sport’s governing bodies to set their own policies regarding participation.
Parsons said he was “prepared for the criticism” likely to come with Petrillo’s participation in the upcoming Games.
“We have to respect our rules, we cannot disrespect our rules,” he said.
“So at the moment the World Para Athletics rules allow her to compete, so she will be welcome like any other athlete.”
Petrillo’s vision is limited to 1/50 of the normal range after she was diagnosed with Stargardt syndrome at age 14, which resulted in the deterioration of her vision.
The Paris 2024 Paralympics begin on August 28 and run until September 8.
With pole wires