Paralympics gender row as athlete fears trans rival has 'advantage' because she 'lived and trained as a man'

Valentina Petrillo

Paralympics star Valentina Petrillo transitioned back in 2019

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 19/08/2024

- 12:25

Fears have been raised as the start of the competition creeps closer

German Paralympian Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt has expressed fears over racing against the first transgender athlete in Paralympics history as the start of the competition creeps closer.

The event in Paris will commence on August 28, with Mueller-Rottgardt among the athletes hoping to win gold.


The German will go up against transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo, who will compete in the 200m and 400m sprints.

She previously qualified for the showpiece event after claiming bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships last year.

Valentina Petrillo

Paralympics star Valentina Petrillo transitioned back in 2019

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Petrillo, who was born male and previously named Fabrizio, transitioned in 2019 after undergoing hormone therapy.

She was born with Stargardt disease, meaning she is visually impaired due to the degenerative eye condition having no cure.

The 50-year-old's participation has caused controversy and, now, Mueller-Rottgardt has raised concerns over whether her rival has an 'advantage' after she 'lived and trained as a man for a long time'.

"Basically, everyone should live in everyday life the way they feel comfortable," she told BILD.

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"But I find it difficult in competitive sports.

"She (Petrillo) has lived and trained as a man for a long time, so there is a possibility that the physical requirements are different to those of someone who was born a woman.

"This could give her an advantage."

The German has raced against Petrillo before. She says she has no problem with how her opponent looks, while also revealing her gender 'wasn't a focus' because it didn't 'affect' her.

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"For me, that (her gender) wasn't a focus because it didn't affect me," she continued.

"I didn't even notice it because I couldn't see her.

"It was only after the race that people started talking about how masculine she looked.

"I can't judge that."

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Paralympics Valentina Petrillo

Paralympics star Valentina Petrillo says she has earned the right to compete

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According to the Daily Mail, Petrillo previously competed in men's national races prior to her decision to transition five years ago.

She had previously won 11 national titles while racing in the men's T12 category.

Paralympic guidelines say that athletes who are legally recognised as a woman are able to take part in female events.

The rules add: "World Para Athletics will deal with any cases involving transgender athletes in accordance with the International Olympic Committee's transgender guidelines."

Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt

Paralympics star Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt has raised concerns about trans athlete Valentina Petrillo

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Petrillo has already hit back at her critics, insisting she's earned the right to compete like everybody else.

"I have been waiting for this day for three years and in these past three years I have done everything possible to earn it," Petrillo told BBC Sport.

"I deserve this selection and I want to thank the Italian Paralympic Federation and the Italian Paralympic Committee for having always believed in me, above all as a person as well as an athlete.

"The historic value of being the first transgender woman to compete at the Paralympics is an important symbol of inclusion."

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