Transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo says it is ‘legitimate’ to question her participation in Paralympics

Transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo said it is legitimate to question her participation in women’s sport following her failure to qualify for the Paralympic T12 400m final.

The 50-year-old Italian, who transitioned in 2019, was sixth fastest overall in Monday evening’s two semi-finals to fall short of the medal race in Paris.

She appeared overwhelmed at her post-race interviews, having clocked a personal best time of 57.58 seconds at Stade de France.

Naples-born Petrillo, who previously won 11 national titles in the men’s category as a married father of two, also called for an end to prejudice and discrimination, saying “people still die for being trans”.

“Listen, I’m the first to ask myself these questions,” she told Italian television channel Rai 1 when asked about the criticism she has faced.

“Before, when I decided not to run anymore because I no longer felt like running as a male, I asked myself these questions. I said, ‘What if you, as a biological woman, saw Valentina on the track?’

“I think that question is legitimate. It’s normal.

“We are born in a society that leads us to make certain speeches, but during this journey I learned many things, and then I actually understood where the problem lies.

“The problem is an information problem. So we must talk about these things, we must not be afraid.

“We must ask ourselves questions, the world of sport must also question us.

“Certainly, the word inclusion must be at the forefront of the world of sport, because a solution must be found for everyone.”

According to the International Paralympic Committee, visually-impaired Petrillo is the second transgender Paralympian.

Dutch discus thrower Ingrid van Kranen, who died in 2021, competed at Rio 2016.

Petrillo, who posted a time of 58.35 secs in the first round of the 400m on Monday morning, is scheduled to run again on Friday in the T12 200m.

“The hate, unfortunately, accompanies the lives of people like me,” she said.

“It is not right that we suffer discrimination and prejudice simply because we exist.

“Unfortunately in the world, people still die for being trans.

“There is a lot of fear. I embody diversity, and I hope through my message that we can normalise what this phenomenon is.”

Petrillo was diagnosed with Stargardt disease – a genetic eye condition – aged 14.

She previously expressed hope of receiving “love” in France, while saying it was “only fair” she was allowed to compete.

Currently, there is no unified position towards transgender inclusion, with the IPC allowing international sport governing bodies to set their own policies.

Under World Para Athletics’ rules, an athlete who is legally recognised as a woman is eligible to compete in the category for which their impairment qualifies them.