Martina Navratilova, a prominent advocate for women’s sports, has criticized the Paralympics for permitting transgender sprinter Valentina Petrillo to compete in women’s events. Navratilova labeled Petrillo a “pathetic cheater” and condemned the inclusion of Petrillo in the women’s 200 and 400 meters in the T12 category for visually impaired athletes.

Navratilova expressed her disgust, calling it “sickening” to see a transgender athlete “stealing women’s trophies,” and accused Petrillo of unfairly taking titles from women.

Petrillo, who had a degenerative eye condition since his teens and competed as a male, has transitioned to female and now seeks to compete in women’s events. While World Athletics bars men from competing as women if they transitioned post-puberty, World Para Athletics uses criteria like testosterone levels and transition period for eligibility.

Petrillo argues that his participation is fair, asserting that his past as a male does not guarantee a competitive advantage. He won bronze medals in the 200 m and 400 m races at last year’s World Para Athletics Championships.