For Valentina Petrillo, competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympics is monumental in many ways.
First, there is the fact that the Italian track athlete was initially inspired by this feat four decades ago: During the 1980 Moscow Olympics, young Petrillo watched on TV as Italian sprinter Pietro Mennea won gold in the 200 meters, emerging from behind in the final seconds to win the race, as she herself said Out Sports in 2020. That moment has stuck with Petrillo, who is now 50, and served as motivation for her to pursue her own big athletic goals on the track.
Then there’s the historic component of Petrillo’s participation in Paris. When he laces up at the 2024 Games, Petrillo will become the first openly trans athlete to compete in the global competition, according to Reuters. She will compete in the T12 women’s classification, which is for visually impaired athletes, in the 200 and 400 meter events, BBC Sport reported. Before those events begin — the first round of the 400 meters is on September 2, and the 200 begins on September 6 — read on for everything you need to know about the trailblazing runner.
1. Although she narrowly missed out on the 2020 Tokyo Games, Petrillo is no stranger to big competitions.
The 2024 Paris Games mark Petrillo’s Paralympic debut after she narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Games.
“I still find it hard to believe and I am keeping my feet on the ground because my chance to participate in Tokyo was lost by a hair’s breadth,” Petrillo said. The Guardian. That said, this isn’t Paris’ first time competing in a high-stakes competition — not by a long shot. In her international debut in the T12 classification (she previously competed in the T13), she placed fifth at the 2021 European Para Athletics Championships in Poland, according to Out Sports. Then, at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris, the award-winning sprinter won bronze in the 200 and 400 metres.
2. She studied computer science.
Petrillo’s interests go beyond the track. According to Keeda Sportsshe studied computer science at Istituto dei ciechi Francesco Cavazzaa school for the blind in Bologna, and had a career as a computer programmer, for Out Sports.
3. Running isn’t your only favorite sport.
Track may be where Petrillo dominates these days, but she has also dabbled in other forms of fitness over the years. After a rocky introduction to athletics as a teenager, she was rejected by her local sports club at age 14, recalling Out Sports that she didn’t have the right shoes and was told she was “not fit for athletics” — she later joined another in her early 20s. Petrillo also played futsal for the Italian national team in the visually impaired division, according to Sportskeeda. In case you’re unfamiliar, futsal It is a variation of indoor soccer, played with five players per team and a smaller, harder and less bouncy ball than a soccer ball.
4. His favorite event is the 200 meters.
Although Petrillo will run both the 200 and 400 meters in Paris, her favorite is the former, and that’s all thanks to the stunning 1980 Olympic event. “I play that race over and over again,” she said. Out Sports in 2020. “It gives me the same feeling of motivation and enthusiasm.”
5. Petrillo has Stargardt’s disease, which caused his vision loss.
According to the BBC, Petrillo was diagnosed with the genetic condition when she was just 14 years old. Stargardt disease is rare — fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. have it — and causes progressive vision loss that usually begins in childhood. People with Stargardt disease typically experience a slow loss of central vision in both eyes, though they may also see black or cloudy spots, as well as become more sensitive to light. “Yes, I have problems with my vision, I’m partially blind, I’m trans — and let’s just say it’s not the best thing in our Italy, being trans — but I’m a happy person,” she told BBC News. Associated press in August.
6. She hopes to inspire other transgender athletes.
Petrillo’s path to competing in women’s track and field events was not an easy one, as she faced criticism from governing sports bodies and fellow athletes.
But Petrillo continued to push towards her goal. World Para Athletics rules state that anyone legally recognised as a woman can compete in the category for which their disability qualifies them, BBC Sport reports.
By competing authentically, Petrillo hopes to inspire others, especially transgender Italians, the same way Mennea inspired her all those years ago, she said. Out Sports. “I’m dreaming about it,” she said, according to the outlet. “The determination that Mennea showed was something he taught all of us. That’s how I feel when I’m running. That same determination and that same drive.”
Now, in the build-up to Paris 2024, Petrillo’s Paralympics debut will be an “important symbol of inclusion”, she told BBC Sport.
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