After talks with @australianathletics, it seemed like #LetHugoRun had worked. Short-statured athletes like Hugo would be “invited” to the National Cross Country Championships.

We celebrated. Briefly.

Then came the catch: Hugo could run, but not compete. 
No medal. No ranking. No result.

When we spoke up, Athletics Australia said: “The vast majority of participants do not come away with medals – it is about taking part, doing your best time and being part of the running community”.

But that’s not the point. This is a national competition, not a community fun run. Athletes commit time, training, and travel for a fair shot, not a demonstration run. 
This isn’t inclusion. It’s tokenism!

AA also promised a transparent, evidence-based review. After 12 months, we got a vague “update”, no real transparency or specific rationale that we could work with. 

This does not pass the pub test.
Let Hugo run, not for show, but for real. 

Let Hugo run as an equal. 

#LetHugoRun #LetHugoRunEqually #LetHugoCompete #InclusionMatters #NotJustParticipation #AthleticsAustralia #CrossCountry #shortstature #dwarfismawareness  #equality 

Watch the video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLHjk-4v6gd/