Rowling Criticizes Valentina Petrillo’s Participation in the Paralympic Games
In a controversial move, renowned British author JK Rowling has condemned Valentina Petrillo, a transgender sprinter, for competing in the Paralympic Games. Petrillo, who has qualified for the semi-finals of the visually impaired 400m, was described by Rowling as a “proud cheat.”
Social media uproar
On Monday, Rowling took to social media to voice her disapproval of Petrillo, who is competing as a T12 woman—a classification for track athletes with visual impairments. Posting a photo of the 51-year-old athlete, Rowling wrote: “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”
Backlash and defense
Rowling faced significant backlash for her comments. One critic accused her of spreading negative stereotypes about transgender people. In response, Rowling clarified: “I know all trans people aren’t cheats. However, knowing you have an unfair advantage and exploiting it anyway is pretty much the textbook definition of cheating.”
Another user argued that Petrillo is competing on her own merit, to which Rowling responded: “Being a man is an advantage in sports that require speed and strength. We both know you know that, but you’ve chosen to pretend you don’t.” She further added, “I am the daughter of a mother with a disability. This is not an abstract talking point to me, it’s a red line.”
This isn’t the first time Rowling has voiced her disapproval of certain athletes competing in international sports. Last month, she criticized Algerian boxer Imane Khelif after Khelif secured a swift 46-second win over Italy’s Angela Carini at the Olympics. Khelif had previously been disqualified from the 2023 Women’s World Championships after failing a gender eligibility test.
“Could any picture sum up our new men’s rights movement better?” Rowling wrote alongside an image of Carini fighting back tears as Khelif tried to comfort her. “The smirk of a male who’s knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered.”
Petrillo’s journey
Petrillo’s journey in sports has been marked by significant transitions. Competing as a male in the T12 classification from 2015 to 2018, Petrillo amassed 11 national titles. With the unwavering support of her wife, she began living as a woman in 2018 and started hormone therapy in January 2019.
The debate surrounding the participation of transgender athletes in sports continues to be a contentious issue, with strong opinions on both sides. Rowling’s comments have reignited discussions about fairness, inclusivity, and the future of competitive sports.