Trans Athlete Qualifies for Paralympics – Reaction Was Disgusting

When it comes to Olympic season, some things are inevitable.

World records, memes, new sporting heroes, heartwarming moments and discovering the host country are now commonplace.

But unfortunately, another topic has become as present at the Olympics and Paralympics as the 100m: the participation of trans people.

As a trans person, I have watched with concern as the topic of our inclusion in sport has become a heated topic of conversation in recent years.

At every major sporting event, I read comments from critics claiming that transgender participation is “ruining women’s sport” – while some international sporting associations ban transgender women from elite sport altogether – including in more niche activities like chess.

Unfortunately, I have also found that every time this talk comes up, some unfortunate athlete finds himself the target of abuse.

In 2021, New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard faced widespread criticism, accusing her of having an unfair advantage despite finishing last.

This year, it is an Italian transgender woman, sprinter Valentina Petrillo, 50, who is set to compete at the Paris Paralympics in the T12 200m and 400m sprints, after winning bronze medals at last year’s World Para Athletics Championships in Paris.

I am pleased to see that the Paralympic Games, organised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), a separate organisation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), are championing inclusion in this way.

Andrew Parsons, IPC chairman, said Valentina was welcome to compete under their policies.

But Parsons also called on the sports world to take a “united” stance on trans athletes, which I think is as likely to be bad news as good.

For example, World Athletics has banned transgender women from competing in the women’s category, a precedent I do not want the Paralympics to follow.

One thing is clear: Valentina does not deserve the level of vitriol she has received.

On social media, the usual anti-trans voices are misgendering Valentina, claiming she has an unfair advantage, commenting on her age and even speculating that she is not visually impaired.

Valentina’s treatment proves once again that transgender people like me still face extreme levels of stigma and exclusion from society.

Ironically, it also proves the importance of having someone like Valentina at the Paralympics – because banning transgender women from elite sport will only add to that sense of exclusion.

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of this situation is the number of people who are suddenly interested in women’s sport, and the Paralympics in particular, who have never done so before.

Apparently, one transgender participant is enough to turn people into experts in T12 sprint events.

The reaction to Valentina is just another opportunity to display their prejudice and contempt towards trans people.

But the reality is quite different.

For anyone who truly cares about women’s sport and women’s well-being, there are far more pressing and important issues than a transgender woman competing in the Paralympics.

A UNESCO report published in July shows that women’s access to sport is still lagging far behind and calls on Member States to urgently address the inequalities faced by women in sport at all levels.

These challenges include gender-based violence, higher school dropout rates among girls and a lack of women in leadership positions in sport.

But from what I’ve seen, those who talk the most about trans inclusion in sports never seem to address these issues, leading me to conclude that their outrage isn’t really about women’s rights and well-being, but rather their misguided prejudices against trans people.

The inclusion of trans people in sport has become another outlet for people to express their prejudice and hatred, and it’s incredibly sad to see the impact this has on society at large.

In my opinion, prohibiting transgender people from participating in activities that are consistent with our gender identity is totally contrary to the spirit of sport, which is based on friendship, solidarity and fair play.

With the Olympics leaving decisions to individual sporting bodies, these organisations must recognise and own the impact of their actions, and carefully consider how they go against everything sport is supposed to stand for.

I hope the Paralympics will remain steadfast in their policy of inclusion and that the Olympics will follow their example – not only because it is right, but because it is the right thing to do.

I hope Valentina is able to compete and enjoy it like other Olympic athletes, and that she is able to rise above the same barrage of abuse that trans athletes have faced in recent years.

She was allowed to compete and did nothing wrong. Her achievements should not be questioned, but rather celebrated and respected like all other competitors at the Paralympics.

Nothing good will be accomplished by exclusion, and anyone who supports this practice has fundamentally misunderstood the foundation and purpose of sport at its most basic level.

We all deserve the same opportunities, and we all deserve respect, dignity, and solidarity – and that includes trans athletes.

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