50-year-old visually impaired Italian sprinter Valentina Petrillo, transitioned in 2019, becomes the first openly transgender athlete to compete in Paralympic Games, representing Italy in women'
50-year-old Valentina Petrillo, a visually impaired Italian sprinter who transitioned in 2019, is set to become the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Paralympic Games, representing Italy in the women's 200 and 400 meters races in Paris. Diagnosed with Stargardt's syndrome at age 14, limiting her visual abilities to 1/50th of the normal range, she won bronze medals in both events at the World Para Athletics Championships last year. The International Paralympic Committee allows governing bodies to set their own policies, and World Para Athletics permits an individual legally recognized as a woman to compete in the category for which their impairment qualifies them.
August 13, 2024
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