Sydney student with dwarfism banned from running

A strict new rule means the champion runner can no longer compete.

A young cross-country champion has been told he cannot compete because of a rule from World Para Athletics that’s recently been adopted by School Sport Australia.

Hugo, a Year 9 student from Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been told he can’t compete at national trails this year.

Hugo has genetic disorder achondroplasia – the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, but that hasn’t stopped him running.

Hugo is a cross-country champion, but has been told he can't compete at national trials this year. Picture: 7NEWS

“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 told 7NEWS.

For years he has competed at state level, but he can no longer compete in any long-distance events because of a new rule adopted by School Sports Australia.

“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,” Hugo’s mum Alicia said.

Hugo is a cross-country champion, but has been told he can't compete at national trials this year. Picture: 7NEWS

“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.”

The new rule, enforced by Athletics Australia is based on medical advice relating to short-statured people running long distances.

But leading expert on dwarfism, Professor Ravi Savarirayen, said Hugo should be able to run.

“There’s actually no medical reason why it should be a problem at all,” he told 2GB.

Originally published as Sydney student with dwarfism banned from running