He was a man, he will compete in the Olympics as a woman. Rivals sound the alarm

Polish Olympians brought home 10 medals from the Paris Games – 1 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze. The Polish Paralympians will compete for more medals in Paris, starting their games at the end of August. For the first time, a transgender woman will compete at an event of this rank. Valentina Petrillo already has experience from the Games, but before her sex change.

Transgender runner sparks huge controversy

Valentina Petrillo was born in 1973 as Fabrizio Petrillo. Associated with athletics since childhood, the man successfully competed in the T12 category, i.e. for people with visual impairments. During his studies, he became involved with the Italian national futsal team for the visually impaired. After “forty”, he decided to return to his former discipline, and in 2019 he began the process of changing his gender. For four years, he has been competing in athletics under the name Valentina.

The woman was entered into the games in the 200 and 400 meters, and the International Paralympic Committee did not raise any obstacles, because her start does not violate the rules. Scientists, however, protest, claiming that despite the hormone therapy, Petrillo will have a physical advantage over other women. The Italian’s assurances that she feels weaker after hormones satisfy few, and certainly not representatives of other countries that have lost their representatives because of her presence.

For years, numerous athletes have protested Petrillo’s presence in women’s competitions. They have the support of many feminist organizations, but their appeals have not yet contributed to the introduction of a ban for the 51-year-old.

Poles will compete at the Paris Olympics

During the last Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Poland won 24 medals – 7 gold, 6 silver and 11 bronze. 84 white-and-red athletes will fly to Paris.