Valentina Petrillo Makes History as First Openly Transgender Athlete in Paralympics
Valentina Petrillo, an athlete from Italy, has notably made history by becoming the first openly transgender individual to compete in the Paralympics during the 2024 Games in Paris. On Monday, Ms. Petrillo, aged 50, participated in the T12 400 meters race, a category designated for athletes with visual impairments, where she secured second place in her heat with a time of 58.35 seconds, thereby advancing to the semifinals scheduled for later that day.
Ms. Petrillo lives with Stargardt disease, a genetic retinal condition that causes progressive vision loss. Unlike her competitors, she exhibited remarkable resilience by competing without the assistance of a guide runner. Prior to the Games, she remarked to AFP that participating in the Paris Paralympics would represent “the most important moment of my sporting career,” particularly after narrowly missing the opportunity to participate in the Tokyo Paralympics three years prior.
She publicly embraced her identity as a woman in 2017, stating, “When I was a man, I wasn’t myself, I ran with the handbrake on and I wasn’t happy. Certainly not as happy as I am now, even if I’m a little bit older.”
Having initially represented Italy in blind football, Ms. Petrillo rekindled her passion for track and field, particularly the 200 meters, after being inspired by Pietro Mennea, a celebrated Olympic champion and world record holder. Ms. Petrillo is also anticipated to participate in the 200 meters event during the ongoing Paralympic Games, showcasing her versatility and dedication to her sport.
Post Comment