Let Hugo run!
It’s the simple request from Northern Beaches mum Alicia Hannan.
Alicia and her family are calling on our community to help overturn a new ban stopping her 14-year-old son Hugo Russell from competing at a national level in running events over 400m.
For background, the local Year 9 student, was the National Champion for U15 multi-class Cross Country in 2023, but he hasn’t been allowed to compete this year.
Without providing clear reasons, School Sport Australia and Athletics Australia removed T40 and T41 classifications from the list of eligible categories for cross-country. This decision means that people with short stature (or dwarfism), can no longer participate in these events.
It’s a blanket ban that effects all athletes with short-stature that does not take into account the individual’s personal circumstances.
The ban is not supported by medical experts.
“It appears that neither organisation consulted a panel of medical experts with experience working with short-statured people,” says Alicia on the Let Hugo Run change.org petition. “They allude to potential health risks, but Professor Ravi Savarirayan from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, a leading expert in achondroplasia (the most common form of dwarfism), says that this is just plain wrong.”
“While not every person with short stature can run longer distances, this should be determined by individual circumstances and medical advice, not by a blanket ban.”
“Hugo is happy to continue to provide medical certificates to confirm his health and capability to compete.”
Hugo and his family are asking for your help to restore the spirit of inclusion in sport, giving short-statured athletes the opportunity to compete and excel in the sport they love.
They’re requesting athletes with T40 and T41 classification with individual medical clearances to be reinstated so they can compete in cross country events at a national level and be allowed to compete in longer running events at a national level too.
“Sport should be about participation and inclusion, not exclusion,” says Alicia. “It would be wonderful if you could please sign and share this petition.”
“Running brings Hugo joy and he excels at longer distances. Please let Hugo run!”
Hugo’s plight has reached ultra-marathon runner Nedd Brockman who has just finished challenging himself to run 1000 miles in 10 days. During his ‘uncomfortable challenge’ Nedd raised $2.5 million for charity while running 420 laps around the 400-metre track at Sydney’s Olympic Park.
When Nedd heard about Hugo not being allowed to do the one thing that he is most passionate about, he invited him to the track to run together. Inspired to create his own uncomfortable challenge, Hugo is now going to run 3kms every day for 10 days. Why 3kms? Because that’s the distance Hugo has been told that he can’t run due to ‘health concerns’ – which has been rubbished by experts in his field.
Let’s get behind Hugo and support this local family!
Run Hugo run!
The Change.org petition currently needs 300 more signatures, let’s support this local legend: https://www.change.org/let_hugo_run
If you wish to donate, please instead support Hugo’s fundraising efforts as he takes part in Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge raising money for homelessness. Hugo is going to run 3km every day for 10 days. Go Hugo go! Click here to donate.
Follow more of Hugo’s journey on Instagram at Let_Hugo_Run.
Images: Let Hugo Run, Nedd Brockman’s Instagram, Channel 7.
