A promising cross country champion has had his dreams quashed by Australia’s peak athletics body.
Year nine student Hugo has already proved his abilities as a long distance runner but has been told that not only is he banned from competing at this year’s national titles but can’t compete in future events.
Hugo was born with the genetic disorder achondroplasia, which is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism.
Until now, it hadn’t stopped him from excelling in athletics, saying he loves the adrenaline and pushing himself to the limit as it’s what makes him happy.
Hugo has carried the spirits of his best friends and classmates upon his shoulders.
They’ve have cheered him on each year as he ran competitively.
But a new rule adopted by School Sports Australia means he’s banned from running in long-distance competitions.
The rule was passed down by Athletics Australia, based on a perceived health risk to short-statured people running long distances.
Hugo, a year nine student, has been banned from competing in long-distance running events due to his dwarfism
Hugo and his mum Alicia Hannan have been blindsided by the rule change.
‘It’s really sad, I see the joy that Hugo gets when he’s competing … there’s not that many opportunities for kids with disabilities to have success and it’s really sad to see that, as a mother, ripped away from him and without any reasons,’ she told Seven News.
Ms Hannan doesn’t understand why her son has been banned, pointing out that Hugo has an individual medical clearance to continue running.
‘It’s the thing I love the most and it’s been taken away from me,’ Hugo said.
‘I like the feeling of adrenaline.
‘Halfway through the run, I get a feeling that I can’t stop, otherwise I’ll be so disappointed in myself and I just like that feeling of running and it just makes me happy.’
Hugo’s mother said she was disappointed in the decision as a dwarfism expert called for the decision to be reversed
World-renowned dwarfism expert professor Ravi Savarirayen slammed the ‘baseless’ ruling.
‘There’s actually no medical reason why it should be a problem at all,’ he told 2GB.
Mr Savarirayen has written to the School Sports Australia board in support of Hugo and other children with a similar condition.
He cited the benefits of participating as a classified athlete were significant for both physical and mental health reasons.
Paralympic swimming medallist Sarah Rose has also called for the rule to be overturned.
‘In a world where we can be anything, let’s be kind. I really hope this decision can be reversed, she said.
2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham also weighed in on the saga.
‘Based on (the) expert medical advice, and the rest of us wanting to celebrate a determined young man, I say let Hugo run,’ he said.
