Accomplished runner, local teen, Hugo Russell has been banned from competing in Cross Country National Championships because of his short stature- despite winning it two times previously.
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The Year 9 student has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. Controversy erupted when Athletics Australia (AA) implemented a ruling that removed T40 and T41 classifications from competing in distances 3 km and over. This ruling was then adopted by School Sports Australia (SSA), which has prevented Hugo from running in Cross Country Nationals this year and any years in the future.
“I’ve won Nationals twice, and I came second once,” Hugo told Manly Observer, sitting at Beverly Job Park.
“I just want to run, because it is something that I love. If I’m able to run, I should be able to run, it’s my choice.”
The Narraweena local was the National Champion last year for the U15 multi-class Cross Country; adding to the list of reasons why Hugo and his mother, Alicia Hannan, cannot wrap their head around the sudden ban.
“He’s like a machine. He just keeps on running and just seeing his joy and excitement at the end when he finishes, it’s so wonderful to see,” Alicia shared, sitting by Hugo’s side through this interview, as well as this whole saga.
“The preeminent expert in short stature [Professor Ravi Savarirayan] publicly said he supports people with short stature being able to run.
“It’s all upside. And he still has to get individual medical certificates. So, you know, I don’t understand why you have to blanket ban something when he’s getting advice from the people who look after him that it’s okay.”
Athletics Australia stated they’re following the “technical guidelines, informed by the global peak bodies of the sport, worldwide best practice and the pathways to major international events.”
They shared they have no relation to SSA’s National Cross Country Championships and will be reviewing technical guidelines for their own 2025 Australian Cross Country season. The organisation will also be seeking clarification from bodies such as Paralympics Australia, World Para Athletics and the International Dwarf Sports Federation.
Athletics Australia further stated they have co-staged their National Cross-Country Championships with School Sport Australia during which period they respected each other’s rules and regulations. For other any other events, they confirmed to Manly Observer, SSA adopt their own rules.
However, SSA said they have not adopted this rule independently as they are following the sport’s technical experts, as they do for all their Championships.
“It is inaccurate to state we adopted this rule independently to AA as can be seen that AA doesn’t allow athletes with short statute to enter their championships above 400 metres,” a representative from SSA told Manly Observer in a statement.
“If Athletics Australia changes, after reviews, the classification of any of the classes, we would follow suit.”
In the meantime, Hugo hasn’t been sitting around twiddling his thumbs while exchanges line up; he’s been sticking it to the man the only way he knows how – on the track.
The young athlete decided to team up with another; Australian ultramarathon runner Nedd Brockmann, to run 3 kms every day for 10 days, the distance SSA told Hugo it was unsafe for him to run due to health concerns.
“I really loved it because it’s a healthy way to have fun. You get outside and the adrenaline that it gives me just makes me really happy,” Hugo explained on why he loves running.
“He loves it. Sport should be about inclusion, and he’s fighting the fight for other kids with short stature as well,” Alicia added.
“We got this beautiful message on Instagram, which was to thank Hugo for doing this for their son. It read, he’s watching from the sidelines. He’s too young to go to Nationals now, but he’s been watching, and he is so proud to see someone fighting for people with his condition.”
Similar messages of support can be read below Nedd Brokmann’s Instagram post of the two running with each other.
“As a parent of a short stature boy who competed at state with 2 years before he’s old enough to go to nationals and was told he’d never be able to go because of the same rule we thank Hugo and his family for all of this!” one commenter wrote.
“As a short-statured athlete who got the chance to follow my dream, thanks for helping Hugo to chase his. Reverse the decision!” Australian Swimming Paralympian, Sarah Rose, commented.
Hugo and his mother have also created a Change.org petition which has over 2,000 signatures in support to reverse or amend the decision to a case-by-case precedent, rather than implement a blanket ban.
The pair have vowed to not stop fighting for change until the young gun’s passion for running and dreams of becoming a long-distance Paralympian is restored. For now, Hugo has one simple message for those who are putting hurdles in front of his path:
“Let me run.”
Follow Hugo’s journey on Instagram
