Valentina Petrillo, a 50-year-old Italian athlete, made history at the Paris Paralympics on Monday by becoming the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Games. Competing in the T12 400 meters, a category for visually impaired athletes, Petrillo finished second in her heat with a time of 58.35 seconds, securing her place in the semifinals later that day.
Petrillo’s journey to this momentous occasion has been marked by both personal and athletic triumphs. She lives with Stargardt disease, a genetic retinal condition that causes progressive vision loss. Despite this challenge, she competes without a guide runner, showcasing her remarkable determination.
In an interview with AFP before the Games, Petrillo expressed the significance of competing in Paris, calling it the “most important moment of my sporting career.” Her journey began in 2017 when she came out as a woman, embracing her true self. “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,” she shared.
Petrillo’s passion for athletics extends beyond the 400 meters. After initially representing Italy in blind football, she rekindled her love for the 200 meters, inspired by the legendary Olympic champion and world record holder Pietro Mennea. She is also expected to compete in the 200 meters during the Paralympics.
Valentina Petrillo’s historic participation at the Paralympics serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of embracing one’s identity and the unwavering spirit of an athlete who refuses to be defined by limitations.
