“Why is this being allowed?” Olympic medalist questions Lance Armstrong ban after transgender athlete qualifies in Paralympics

Sharron Davies and JK Rowling want Lance Armstrong ban overturned after transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo qualifies in Paralympics.

“Why is this being allowed?” Olympic medalist questions Lance Armstrong ban after transgender athlete qualifies in Paralympics

Lance Armstrong should get his ban overturned if transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo can run against women say Sharron Davies and JK Rowling (image via Open Source/X)

The Paris Olympics was a brilliant showcase of athletic ability and skill. Amidst all the fanfare as athletes brought glory to their countries was a fair number of controversial moments. Another such problem has cropped up involving Italy’s Valentina Petrillo. The Paralympics, which so far was being lauded for the incredible achievements of its athletes was brought into a different sphere.

Former Olympic medalist Sharron Davies brought the issue to the forefront when talking about the 51-year-old Petrillo. She asked the Paralympics committee a simple question with a message on her X account:

So, we ban Lance Armstrong for taking drugs which will give him a small but important advantage over his male rivals because it’s cheating but we let 51-year-old male Valentina Petrillo have a huge advantage with no issue at all against female athletes! Why is this being allowed?
Sharron Davies on X

Suggesting that they should give cycling great Lance Armstrong his Tour de France wins back. What he did to gain an advantage is nothing compared to when a transgender athlete competes against women.

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This is the second such instance of transgender-related controversies. Petrillo’s fellow Italian Angela Carini caused gender-related discussions to blow up the internet when she quit her boxing bout against eventual Paris Olympics gold medalist Imane Khelif. Khelif was born a woman, as was proved time and again.

But Sharron Davies is referring to the situation of a transgender male competing against women. The advantage Valentina Petrillo had against women half her age was what Davies was pointing to. She believes that if this was allowed, Armstrong taking drugs to gain that slight edge should be allowed too.

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JK Rowling adds to the Valentina Petrillo situation

Davies was not the only one vocal about this issue. Fellow Brit, author JK Rowling took to her official X to give her view about the situation developing at the Paralympics:

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.
JK Rowling on X

Rowling wants Lance Armstrong’s wins to be reinstated. She believes it is nothing compared to what a born male, Fabrizio ‘Valentina’ Petrillo, gains over women.

Valentina Petrillo qualified to compete in the women's 400m at the Paralympics
Valentina Petrillo qualified to compete in the women’s 400m at the Paralympics (image via Open Source/X)

The father of two was participating in the women’s 400m as she identifies as a woman. Rowling, who had her say in the Imane Khelif situation was adamant that this was cheating. She hopes the respective federations take note and bring changes where they can ban such athletes from competing.

Else, the two feel that this will open the doors for other such men to take the place of women athletes. Generally, women have been bearing the brunt of not being in the limelight. If more women are denied the chance, consequently it could lead to more voices asking for a total ban on transgender athletes.

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