Valentina Petrillo, The First Transgender Woman To Compete At Paralympic Games - In Pics

Italy's Valentina Petrillo is set to become the first ever transgender woman to compete at the Paris Paralympic Games. At 50 years of age, Petrillo will run in the 200 and 400 meters races in the T12 classification for visually impaired athletes in Paris. She's lived most of her life as a man and only came out as transgender to her wife - with whom she has a son - in 2017 before beginning hormone therapy two years later.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 24 August 2024 1:03 pm

Paris Paralympic Games 2024: Italy's Valentina Petrillo trains in Pieve di Cento | Photo: AP/Antonio Calanni

Italy's Valentina Petrillo trains in Pieve di Cento, near Bologna, Italy. Valentina Petrillo is set to become the first transgender woman to compete at the Paralympic Games at the end of this month in Paris.

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Paris Paralympic Games 2024: Italy's Valentina Petrillo | Photo: AP/Antonio Calanni

Italy's Valentina Petrillo trains in Pieve di Cento, near Bologna, Italy.

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Paris Paralympic Games 2024: Italy's Valentina Petrillo gestures during an interview | Photo: AP/Antonio Calanni

Italy's Valentina Petrillo gestures during an interview with The Associated Press in Pieve di Cento, near Bologna, Italy.

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Paris Paralympic Games 2024: Transgender Sprinter Valentina Petrillo gestures during an interview | Photo: AP/Antonio Calanni

Italy's Valentina Petrillo gestures during an interview with The Associated Press in Pieve di Cento, near Bologna, Italy.

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Paris Paralympic Games 2024: Transgender Sprinter Valentina Petrillo trains in Pieve di Cento | Photo: AP/Antonio Calanni

Italy's Valentina Petrillo trains in Pieve di Cento, near Bologna, Italy.

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Paris Paralympic Games 2024: Transgender Sprinter Valentina Petrillo will To take part in T12 classification for visually impaired athletes Antonio Calanni