World Para Athletics has declared that any athlete who is legally recognized as a woman is eligible to participate in the games. In contrast,
World Athletics prohibited any transgender woman from competing who had undergone puberty, stating that they would “not say no forever.”
Trans woman Valentina Petrillo is set to make history as the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Paralympics. Petrillo will represent Italy in the 200m and 400m races under the T12 category (athletes with visual impairments). pic.twitter.com/eWFsXW9778
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In an interview with the BBC, the athlete disclosed that she recognized her gender as female at the age of nine and initiated hormone therapy in 2019.
The 50-year-old had previously competed in the male T12 category and has won 11 national titles prior to her transition. Andrew Parsons, a representative of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), stated:
“At present, the World Para Athletics rules permit her to participate, and she will be treated in the same manner as any other athlete.
