The 50-year-old finished second in her heat of the T12 400 meters, a category for visually impaired athletes, with a time of 58.35 seconds, qualifying for the semi-finals later that day.

Petrillo has Stargardt disease, a genetic retinal condition that causes progressive vision loss, and notably competed without a guide runner, unlike her competitors.

In an interview with AFP before the Games, Petrillo expressed that competing in Paris would be "the most important moment of my sporting career," especially after narrowly missing the chance to participate in the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago.

She came out as a woman in 2017, sharing her journey: "When I was a man, I wasn't myself, I ran with the handbrake on and I wasn't happy. Certainly not as happy as I am now, even if I'm a little bit older."

Initially representing Italy in blind football, Petrillo rediscovered her love for the 200 metres, inspired by former Olympic champion and world record holder Pietro Mennea. She is also set to compete in that event during the Paralympics.