JK Rowling slams inclusion of Valentina Petrillo at Paris Paralympics [Image Source : Getty]

Valentina Petrillo of Italy was eliminated from medal contention in the women’s 400m T12 [for the visually impaired] category at the 2024 Paris Paralympics after she finished third in the semifinals. However, the controversies about the transgender athlete are far from over.

Several people have criticized the Italian’s inclusion in the Paris Paralympics including famous author JK Rowling. She wrote on her X account,

“Why all the anger about the inspirational Petrillo? The cheat community has never had this kind of visibility! Out and proud cheats like Petrillo prove the era of cheat-shaming is over. What a role model! I say we give Lance Armstrong his medals back and move on. #Cheats #NoShame.”

The jibe on Armstrong referred to the former Tour de France champion representing the USA in the men’s time trial at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, where he won the bronze medal. In 2012, the United States Anti-Doping Agency found the cyclist guilty of doping violations, and he was stripped of all his honors, including the Olympic medal he had won at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Valentina Petrillo was a biological male who decided to undergo gender reassignment surgery in 2019. She is participating in two events at the Paris Paralympics: the women’s 200m T12 and the women’s 400m T12. The 51-year-old athlete was eliminated in the 400m event, though she will represent Italy in the 200m event on 6 September.

“What will it take to end this insanity”: JK Rowling on transgender athletes in Paris Olympics

JK Rowling along with actor Eddie Redmayne at the premiere of “Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them” [Image for Representational Purposes] [Image Source: Getty]

JK Rowling has been one of the most vocal critics of the International Olympic Community (IOC), especially during the Paris Olympics. Like former swimmer Riley Gaines, she has criticized the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Rowling also criticized the inclusion of boxers Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu Ting of Taiwan, who both went on to win gold medals at the Paris Olympics in their respective categories.

When the IOC allowed their participation, despite the IBA having banned them previously at the World Championships in 2023, JK Rowling wrote on her X account,

“What will it take to end this insanity? A female boxer left with life altering injuries? A female boxer killed?”

Along with the likes of Elon Musk, Piers Morgan, Riley Gaines etc., Rowling posted several tweets, criticizing the presence of Imane Khelif, and terming her as a biological male. Khelif also initiated a counterattack by suing Musk and Rowling for cyberbullying.

However, Rowling was not the one to bow down at all. She shared an article written by Colin Wright, with the following quote on her X account,

“It’s important to highlight that launching a PR campaign and applying layers of thick makeup requires far more time and effort than simply making DNA results public.”

The author opined that the concerned athletes should not hesitate from a DNA test if they are confident. She has also urged the IOC to bring back the cheek swab tests, which would determine the identities of athletes.