In a bombshell decision, Valentina Petrillo, the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the 2024 Paralympics, has been banned from women’s events at the 2025 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) cited updated 2025 guidelines, which impose stricter testosterone limits and physiological criteria for transgender women. Petrillo, a 51-year-old Italian sprinter, has been directed to compete in the men’s category, a move that has sparked intense controversy.

Petrillo, who transitioned in 2019 and secured bronze medals in women’s T12 200m and 400m at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships, was devastated by the ruling. “This feels like a step backward for inclusion,” she told reporters, her voice breaking. “I’ve complied with all regulations, yet I’m being punished for being myself.” Her emotional response has resonated widely, with supporters on social media decrying the decision as discriminatory, while critics, including J.K. Rowling, argue it protects competitive fairness.

The IOC’s revised policy requires transgender women to maintain testosterone levels below a specific threshold for four years, alongside other physiological assessments. Despite Petrillo meeting the testosterone criteria, additional evaluations led to her exclusion from women’s events. This aligns with World Athletics and USOPC policies, which, starting August 2025, bar transgender women who underwent male puberty from women’s competitions.

The ruling has polarized the athletics community. Some male athletes expressed unease about competing against Petrillo, while others advocate for inclusive solutions. As the 2025 Olympics loom, Petrillo’s case continues to spotlight the complex balance between fairness and inclusion in elite sports.