Valentina Petrillo's Brave Journey at the Paralympic Games

Italian transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo participated in the women's T12 400 meters event for visually impaired runners at the Paralympic Games. Despite running a personal best of 57.58 seconds in the semifinal, she did not advance to the final. Diagnosed with Stargardt disease at 14, Petrillo began her transition in 2019 and has been competing in para sports since she was 41.

Italian transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo didn't make it to the final of the women's T12 400 meters for visually impaired runners, after completing her semifinal in a personal best time of 57.58 seconds at the Paralympic Games.

Petrillo's journey is inspiring. Diagnosed with Stargardt disease at 14, she stopped running but reignited her dream after being inspired by Pietro Mennea's Olympic triumph in 1980. Starting her transition in 2019, she entered para sports at 41 and has since won medals in world championships.

Petrillo's recent participation follows the scrutiny faced by Olympic boxing gold medalist Imane Khelif over false sex claims, making her story one of bravery and resilience in the face of adversity.

(With inputs from agencies.)