Former British Olympian criticises decision to allow transgender athlete to compete in women’s races at the Paralympics and urges governing bodies to do more to protect females

A former British Olympian has criticised the decision to allow transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo to participate in women’s races at the Paralympics, warning that biological males competing in female events is ‘unfair and unsafe’.

Petrillo, a visually impaired athlete, will represent Italy in the women’s T12 200m and 400m sprints in Paris, having claimed bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2023. The 50-year-old was born male with the name Fabrizio.

After undergoing hormone therapy, however, Petrillo transitioned in 2019. The Italian previously won 11 national titles in three years while competing as a father of two.

Rival Paralympian Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt believes the sprinter may have an ‘advantage’ in the 200m while one lawyer has criticised their qualification.

Mara Yamauchi, who competed in the Olympic women’s marathon for Team GB in 2008 and 2012, also believes governing bodies must do more to protect women.

Transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo will compete in women’s events at the Paralympics

Petrillo (pictured in 2023) was born male with the name Fabrizio and transitioned in 2019

Mara Yamauchi (right) believes governing bodies must do more to protect female athletes

Speaking on GB News, she said: ‘Males in the female category is unfair and it’s unsafe in some sports. I used to train with the British Paralympians, and what they’ve overcome is extraordinary in many cases. 

‘The categories exist in para sport for a reason, which is to make competition fair.

‘So if you then decide that men can go in the female category, what is the point of having the Paralympic classes to make competition fair? 

‘It just renders the whole thing meaningless.’

On Petrillo’s involvement in the Paralympics, Yamauchi added: ‘So many female athletes have been excluded because of Petrillo. He talks about inclusion. This is only inclusion for males like him. It means exclusion for female athletes.

‘There are echoes of the fiasco in the boxing in the Olympics, because the rules in this case are, if you’re legally female, you’re welcome in the female category. 

‘And many countries have self ID, so it’s a piece of cake for any man to get a passport which says female on it. It renders the male and female categories in sport totally meaningless. Talking about happiness, that’s all about him. 

‘He appears to have zero consideration for the impact he has on female athletes.

Sprinter Petrillo is set to compete in the women’s T12 200m and 400m in Paris

’30 female athletes complained about him a couple of years ago when he was demanding access to the female changing rooms. 

‘This is all about males breaking boundaries which exist for women and girls to live and participate safely in sport and society safely. It’s all about him.

‘And what’s a real tragedy here is that the officials and governing bodies responsible for the rules have failed. He is just taking advantage of rules.

‘They need to find some courage to stand up for fair competition and for safety, privacy and dignity for female athletes in the changing rooms associated with sport.

‘Currently, they’re just rolling over and acquiescing to the demands of the trans lobby and the result is that sport has become a laughing stock.’

Despite the controversy, Petrillo is relishing the opportunity to compete.  

‘Honestly, I can’t wait to be in Paris and race on that beautiful purple track and in front of all that enthusiastic crowd. I think there will be a lot more love for me than I can imagine,’ Petrillo said, via Spanish publication Relevo. 

‘It’s only fair that each of us can express ourselves in our own gender. Sport should teach us the value of inclusion and this is fundamental for people’s happiness. 

‘I have learned to let go of what I cannot control. I am now psychologically stronger than I was some time ago and this is also due to the support of my psychologist. 

Petrillo’s involvement has been publicly condemned by a fellow athlete and a lawyer

The 50-year-old will become the first transgender athlete to compete at the Paralympic Games

The storm comes in the wake of the gender row involving Imane Khelif at the Olympics

‘People always criticise, for whatever reason, and that is why in my case they are even more likely to do so.

‘I gradually understood that you have to live with people’s envy and jealousy. For my part I am aware that what I do is real and therefore I have nothing to fear.’

The latest storm comes in the wake of the gender row involving Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting at the Olympics. Both boxers went on to win gold medals.