A lawyer has called the participation of the first transgender Paralympian in Paris 2024 “unfair,” sparking heated debate.
The upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympics are facing a new controversy involving the participation of the first transgender athlete in the event’s history.
A lawyer has raised concerns, labeling the inclusion of this athlete as ‘unfair,’ sparking widespread debate about gender and eligibility in sports.
The participation of Valentina Petrillo, the first-ever transgender athlete competing at the Paralympics, has faced criticism.
The first transgender Paralympian in Paris 2024
Petrillo, a 50-year-old visually impaired Italian sprinter, qualified for the T12 200m and 400m events at the Paris 2024 Games.
She won bronze in the T12 200m at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships and has qualified for the 2024 Paris Games.
Valentina Petrillo, the first transgender Paralympian, was born with Stargardt disease, a rare degenerative eye condition.
This condition leads to a gradual loss of eyesight due to changes in a person’s genes.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Stargardt disease, which affects the part of the retina used for sharp vision.
Lawyer claims first transgender Paralympian’s Paris 2024 participation is ‘unfair’
Irene Aguiar, a Spanish sports lawyer, criticized Petrillo’s inclusion. She calls it “unfair.”
Aguiar argues that Petrillo’s participation prevented the Spanish sprinter, Melani Berges, from qualifying for the Paralympics.
Berges, who is also visually impaired, finished fifth in the qualifying rounds, missing out on a spot in Paris.
‘Our Spanish athlete Melani Berges has lost the chance to qualify for the Paralympics.
The reason is the participation of the man Fabrizio ‘Valentina’ Petrillo, who made it to the final instead of her.
That is unfair,’ the lawyer Aguiar stated.
The debate around Petrillo’s participation mirrors the discussions that have surrounded transgender athletes in the Olympics.
Earlier this year, Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting, two female boxers, were disqualified from the World Championships for failing a gender test.
Both insisted they were born female and had not identified as otherwise.
The lawyer argues that Petrillo, who transitioned in 2019, might have an unfair edge over cisgender female athletes because of possible physical differences.
What did officials comment on the first transgender Paralympian in Paris 2024?
Aguiar’s criticism of Petrillo’s inclusion has been supported by 40 feminist groups who have protested the decision.
The issue of transgender athletes’ participation in elite sports competitions has been a contentious topic in recent years.
Supporters of transgender inclusion argue that it is a fundamental human right, while critics contend that it undermines the fairness of women’s sports.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has established guidelines for the participation of transgender athletes, but the debate continues.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, stated that Petrillo, the first transgender athlete to compete at the Paralympics, would be welcome at the upcoming games.
However, Parsons hoped that sports organizations globally could unite on their stance on transgender athlete participation.
Parsons acknowledged that he was prepared for any criticism regarding Petrillo’s inclusion.
‘I am prepared for the criticism,’ he said.
Social media reactions
On social media, many online users also shared their opinions on the first transgender Paralympian’s Paris 2024 participation.
The issue of 21 century, one user said.
They shouldn’t be allowed to do that. Not a chance, the second user affirmed.
I’m afraid that the ladies are going to have to bite the bullet.
If they feel strongly enough about this, then they all need to refuse to compete with her, four years training down the drain but “Just Say No”! The third user commented.
They should compete in MEN categories, the third user emphasized.
why is it only ever men identifying as/transgendering to female, then throwing themselves into women’s sports?
Can’t cut it against their own so this is their best option? Another asked