First transgender Paralympian, 50, breaks silence on criticism of her competing at Paris 2024 - as she claims she will be a 'role model' at the Games despite debate over participation Valentina Petrillo is upbeat about the Games and the chance to teach 'inclusion' Another athlete and a lawyer have raised concerns over Petrillo's participation Since transitioning in 2019 the 50-year-old has been internationally successful By Luke Power Published: 04:26 EDT, 20 August 2024 | Updated: 04:26 EDT, 20 August 2024 e-mail View comments The first transgender Paralympian has issued a defiant statement about inclusion and being a 'role model' ahead of competing at Paris 2024. Visually impaired athlete Valentina Petrillo will represent Italy in the women's T12 200m and 400m sprints, having claimed bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2023. Petrillo was born male with the name Fabrizio and transitioned in 2019 after undergoing hormone therapy.
The 50-year-old was also born with Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition that has no cure. Rival German Paralympian Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt fears Petrillo has an 'advantage' in the 200m while one Spanish lawyer called the Italian's qualification 'unfair' . Despite the controversy, Petrillo is upbeat for the impending Games and wants to use them as an opportunity to teach people about inclusivity.
Valentina Petrillo, the first transgender Paralympian, is confident of being an 'inspiring role model' and predicts lots of 'love.