First trans athlete at the Paralympics: "Do I hate social media? Of course, I expect it. But my response will only be on the track"

Bologna, 19 August 2024 – “I have not made a renunciation, but a choice". Valentina Petrillo, 50 years old, in less than ten days he will fly to Paris. For the first time at Paralympics, in the 200 and 400, distances over which, a year ago, in the French capital, he won two bronze medals at the World Championships. First time at the Games for Valentina. On September 2nd you will have the heats of the 400m, on the 6th the 200m heats. On the 3rd and 7th the eventual finals. First time of atransgender athlete at the Paralympics. Valentina is serene, calm. Even if you have foreseen controversies, accusations, haters.

Valentina, let's start from the beginning.

"I was born in Naples on 2 October 1973. I suffer from Stargardt Syndrome and am visually impaired. In 1994 I arrived in Bologna".

First stop, Cavazza institute.

"Exactly. School to specialize in computer science."

On October 2, 1973…

"I was born as Fabrizio. In 2017 I came out. Since 2023 I have been legally a woman".

With a son.

"I got married to Elena, from whom I separated and with whom I am on excellent terms. Lorenzo was born, he is 9 years old. He is the only one authorized to call me papi".

Elena and Lorenzo?

"They will be in Paris, in the stands. Cheering for me."

For Valentina.

"Exactly, the first transgender athlete."

Meanwhile online…

"Stop, first of all a clarification."

The face.

"I have nothing to say or comment about Imane Khelif."

The Algerian boxer wins gold in Paris.

"Yes, I don't want to get into the issue because mine is a different case. In 2017 I faced a journey, since last year I have been a woman".

There's a movie about her.

"A documentary about my life '5 Nano Moli The Olympic dream of a trans woman'".

Let's explain what the 5 Nano Moles are.

"It's the hormonal threshold of testosterone per liter. You have to stay below this threshold to compete among women."

She underwent treatment to get below this limit.

"Yes, it's a process that lasts at least six months. Then you have to maintain it."

Valentina, do you feel like a heroine?

"I am a very normal person. I hope to be a point of reference for transgender athletes. When I started my journey there were no clear paths. Now there are. However, I would like to underline one aspect".

What?

"I didn't do this to run in the Games. Sport has always been part of my life."

Professional sport?

"Maybe. I work for an IT company. The Tas Group of Casalecchio, which I have to thank."

Did you go on holiday to go to the Games?

"No, from this year there is a special permit. I didn't have to use up my holiday allowance as in the past. Until last year, I was in the red for holiday days. I had used more than I had accrued. But my company has always helped me."

Even in his choice?

"In 2018 I announced my decision. The words of the personnel director stuck with me."

What did he say?

"You continue to work as you always have. And you will be evaluated for how you work, not for appearances."

Let's go back to professionalism: can you make money from athletics?

"But when ever. I don't have a sponsor. I pay for everything myself."

The gold would be worth 100 thousand euros, more or less.

"Yes, 55 silver and 35 bronze. But if I were to get on the podium I wouldn't earn what I spent. But I'm happy, I do athletics for passion."

The parents' reaction after his choice?

"Dad Edoardo is 82 years old. Man from Naples, in one piece. He struggled, but he was the first to call me Valentina. My brother Francesco took longer."

And mom?

"Her name was Adriana. She passed away in 2017, before I started my journey. But she had understood everything."

In Spain they are angry with her.

"This amazes me. Spain is a model of civilization. It has cutting-edge transgender legislation. Melani Berges is the athlete left out of the Games. I narrowly beat her."

Did you anticipate the controversy?

"Yes, I have an advantage, I can respond on the track. But, I repeat, I have chosen. Mine is a public story. The world moves forward. I have no solutions, but in the world 9 percent of people do not identify with their gender ".

Tell the truth, did your son Lorenzo ask you for the medal?

"He immediately asked me to go with him to watch a Napoli match. Then in the end the idea of ​​the medal came up."

And she?

"I'll try. But I already know it won't be easy."