‘Taken away from me’: Fit and willing Sydney student excluded from running due to genetic condition

Australia’s athletics governing body has ruled people with dwarfism are not allowed to run long distances in organised events.

An Australian high school student has been banned from competing in his chosen sport because he has dwarfism.

The Sydney student is a competitive runner but School Sports Australia has adopted an Athletics Australia rule, the latter deciding there are health risks for short-statured people who run long distances.

“It’s the thing I love the most and it’s been taken away from me,” Hugo Russell told 7News.

The year nine student from Sydney’s North Shore has the most common type of short-limbed dwarfism - achondroplasia.

Sydney student Hugo Russell has been excluded from distance running. Picture: Supplied

“I like the feeling of adrenaline,” Hugo said.

“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 Alicia Hannan said her son had proven he can run long distances, but was banned from national events.

“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,” she said.

“I just don’t understand why, it doesn’t harm anyone else. It doesn’t affect anyone, he has individual medical clearance to do it and it’s just really hard to understand.”

Hugo has competed in national title events. Picture: Supplied

Paralympic swimming medallist Sarah Rose threw her support behind Hugo.

“In a world where we can be anything, let’s be kind. I really hope this decision is reversed,” she said.

“Thinking of you Hugo.”

In 2016, then 49-year-old US maths teacher John Young became the first little person to complete an ultra-marathon, and has run in 20 marathons.

Melbourne-based geneticist and scientist Ravi Savarirayan rung 2GB to discuss Hugo’s obstacle.

“There’s actually no medical reason why it should be a problem at all,” the Professor said.

Achondroplasia is a form of dwarfism which impairs bone growth in the limbs and causes abnormal growth in the spine and skull.

Originally published as ‘Taken away from me’: Fit and willing Sydney student excluded from running due to genetic condition