Paralympics gender row as athlete fears trans rival has 'advantage' because she 'lived and trained as a man'

The German will go up against transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo, who will compete in the 200m and 400m sprints.

She previously qualified for the showpiece event after claiming bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships last year.

Petrillo, who was born male and previously named Fabrizio, transitioned in 2019 after undergoing hormone therapy.

She was born with Stargardt disease, meaning she is visually impaired due to the degenerative eye condition having no cure.

The 50-year-old's participation has caused controversy and, now, Mueller-Rottgardt has raised concerns over whether her rival has an 'advantage' after she 'lived and trained as a man for a long time'.

"Basically, everyone should live in everyday life the way they feel comfortable," she told BILD.

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"But I find it difficult in competitive sports.

"She (Petrillo) has lived and trained as a man for a long time, so there is a possibility that the physical requirements are different to those of someone who was born a woman.

"This could give her an advantage."

The German has raced against Petrillo before. She says she has no problem with how her opponent looks, while also revealing her gender 'wasn't a focus' because it didn't 'affect' her.

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"For me, that (her gender) wasn't a focus because it didn't affect me," she continued.

"I didn't even notice it because I couldn't see her.

"It was only after the race that people started talking about how masculine she looked.

"I can't judge that."

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According to the Daily Mail, Petrillo previously competed in men's national races prior to her decision to transition five years ago.

She had previously won 11 national titles while racing in the men's T12 category.

Paralympic guidelines say that athletes who are legally recognised as a woman are able to take part in female events.

The rules add: "World Para Athletics will deal with any cases involving transgender athletes in accordance with the International Olympic Committee's transgender guidelines."

Petrillo has already hit back at her critics, insisting she's earned the right to compete like everybody else.

"I have been waiting for this day for three years and in these past three years I have done everything possible to earn it," Petrillo told BBC Sport.

"I deserve this selection and I want to thank the Italian Paralympic Federation and the Italian Paralympic Committee for having always believed in me, above all as a person as well as an athlete.

"The historic value of being the first transgender woman to compete at the Paralympics is an important symbol of inclusion."