Trans athlete Valentina Petrillo comes out fighting after beating biological women at Paris Paralympics
Paris Paralympics: Valentina Petrillo has blasted back at her critics after running in the 400m
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Trans athlete Valentina Petrillo has blasted back at her critics after qualifying for the semi-finals of the Paris Paralympics.
The 51-year-old, who was racing as a man just six years ago, finished second in her heat behind Venezuela's Alejandra Paola Perez Lopez.
Petrillo, who is visually-impaired, knocked out China's Shen Yaqin with a time of 58.35 seconds.
Now, in an interview with the Daily Mail, the Italian runner has taken aim at her critics and said they were 'driven by jealousy'.
Paris Paralympics: Valentina Petrillo has blasted back at her critics after running in the 400m
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"From today I don't want to hear anything more about discrimination, prejudices against transgender people," she said.
"There are lots of people dying only for being trans, people are killed because they are trans, people commit suicide because they are trans and lose their jobs, or (they are) are not included in sport.
"But I made it. If I can make it, everyone can make it."
Petrillo won 11 Italian men's disabled titles before transitioning.
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She will also compete in the 200m of the Paralympics, in addition to the 400m.
The controversial athlete says she has a 'fire' inside her and is determined to make history.
"I'm happy as a woman and running as a woman is all I want. I couldn't ask for more," she said.
"This was a dream that I had since I was a little girl.
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"I've got a fire inside me, that pushes me. An emotional strength.
"Obviously, my body's not what it was at 20 when I was at my peak, but my happiness pushes me to go further, to go beyond my limits."
There were no transgender athletes at the Paris Olympics this summer.
However, with the World Para Athletics calling the shots, they've allowed those identifying as female to compete against biological women.
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Paris Paralympics: Valentina Petrillo is hoping to make history at the Games this summer
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Speaking before the Games in France, meanwhile, one athlete raised concerns about Petrillo potentially having an 'unfair' advantage.
German Paralympian Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt gave an interview to BILD where she said Petrillo, and other trans athletes, should feel 'comfortable'.
But she also said she found that difficult to accept in 'competitive sports', too.
"Basically, everyone should live in everyday life the way they feel comfortable," she said.
Paris Paralympics: Valentina Petrillo finished second in the 400m women's heat on Monday
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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."