Transgender athlete says Paralympians embraced her despite outside hate
Visually impaired transgender sprinter Valentina Petrillo said she felt welcomed by her fellow competitors despite the widespread scrutiny outside of the Paralympic village in France.
Visually impaired transgender sprinter Valentina Petrillo said she felt welcomed by her fellow competitors despite the widespread scrutiny outside of the Paralympic village in France.
The 51-year-old sprinter, who transitioned in 2019, reached T12 200m and 400m semi-finals at the recent Paralympic Games in Paris.
Petrillo’s participation was criticized, with writer JK Rowling labeling her an “out and proud cheat” but the Italian said in an interview with the Times newspaper the support she encountered within the Stade de France was heartening.
“It was the perfect life. It was beautiful. I was welcomed by everybody,” Petrillo said as she prepared to leave the village for the final time. “Outside, we know it’s not going to be the same.
“I hope this can be the start of a transformation for transgender people.”
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