Valentina Petrillo Qualifies for T12 400m Semi-finals

Valentina Petrillo, the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Paralympics, made her debut in the T12 400 meters at the Paris Games, finishing second in her heat and qualifying for the semi-finals. At 50, Petrillo, who transitioned in 2019, emphasized that her participation symbolizes a moment of inclusion and hopes to combat discrimination against transgender individuals in sports. Despite her previous success as a male athlete, she faced controversy over her inclusion in women's events, with debates surrounding fairness and equality continuing within the sporting community. Petrillo, who has Stargardt disease, ran without a guide and expressed her happiness in competing as a woman, encouraging others to pursue their dreams regardless of obstacles. IPC President Andrew Parsons acknowledged the need for a unified stance on transgender policies in sports while noting that Petrillo's participation was welcomed under current rules. Critics, including representatives from Venezuela's Paralympic Committee, argue that her participation creates inequality for female athletes born female.