With the Paralympics kicking off soon, there is one that is on everybody’s radar. And that is none other than the iconic Valentina Petrillo. The Italian sprinter will be aiming for gold in the T12 200m and 400m at the upcoming Paralympic Games in 2024. She is all set to sprint her way into history books as the first transgender woman to compete in the women’s category at the Paralympics.

Valentina’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Picture a seven-year-old kid with a sparkle in her eyes watching Italian sprinter Pietro Mennea win gold, clocking 20.19 at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. “I said I wanted to be like him,” recalls Valentina. Unknowing that her path of twists and turns would lead her to the Paralympic tracks. They say, ‘It’s never too late to dream.’ And Valentina is proving just that. Now at 50, she is about to live her Olympic dreams!

The Making of Valentina Petrillo

Valentina Petrillo’s story begins in Naples on 2 October 1973. Her early years were spent dreaming of running like her idol, Mennea. However, life is full of unexpected curveballs, and Valentina’s curveball struck when she turned 14. Valentina was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, leading to progressive vision loss. But did this stop her? Not a chance!

As a teenager, Valentina dove into athletics with no loss of passion! As her vision started to progressively reduce, she found herself a new outlet in the Italian national futsal team for the visually impaired. However, her heart never left the track. They say, ‘Age is just a number.’ Proving the same right, at the age of 41, Valentina made a return to athletics. She dominated in the men’s category and snatched up 11 national titles. Post-this came a bold move that nobody saw coming.

Valentina came out as transgender in 2017 and identified as a woman starting in 2018. She started hormone therapy in 2019, putting her through major physical and emotional changes. Talking about the same, she said, “I wanted to do it as a woman because I didn’t feel like a man, I didn’t feel like myself.” She went on to add, “I realised my dream, which was to race in the female category, to do the sport that I had always loved doing. I got to 50 before it came true… we all have the right to a second choice of life, a second chance.”

Valentina’s journey isn’t just personal. It is about creating history and making space for more athletes from the trans community to come. In 2020, she became the first trans woman to compete in the women’s category at the Italian Para Athletics Championships. She followed this with national titles in 200m T12 and 400m T13 classes in 2021. Talk about a trailblazer, eh?

Valentina Petrillo and the book of uncertainties

As with anyone taking the roads less walked by, Valentina’s journey has not been without its challenges. She has faced a lot of criticism over the years, with some questioning whether her transition gives her an unfair advantage. Former Czech-American tennis star Martina Navratilova distastefully called Valentina a “pathetic cheater.” Ouch! But despite the noise, Valentina remains unfettered.

Valentina’s focus still remains on the Paralympics. Her goal lies far beyond the medals. “Unfortunately, we still live in a situation where transgender people are marginalised, who will never be able to change a document like I did, who will never be able to get what they deserve, the respect they deserve. And therefore, my thoughts go to them, to those who have been less fortunate than me,” she added. Her efforts off-track are also ongoing, with Valentina’s journey being captured in the poignant documentary “5 nanomoles – the Olympic dream of a trans woman.” Things slowly but surely are changing with the world seeing trans athletes at the Paris Olympics 2024.

But the roads are long ahead, and the world definitely has miles to go before it sleeps! As Valentina herself went on to add, “From now on I’d like to hear beautiful stories of transgender people, of people with disabilities, everybody. And my hope is that from my story they can find the inspiration and the strength to believe a different tomorrow is possible.” With Valentina Petrillo getting ready for the Paralympics, her story isn’t just about the medals but also about challenging norms one sprint at a time.

Before you leave, check out the latest Think Tank episode on EssentiallySports. Madisen Skinner’s coach, a renowned name in American volleyball, gives a behind-the-scenes look at his star player.