Juju who has level 3 autism, and is profoundly impacted, qualified in 3 events in the Australian Open Nationals Athletics.

Today she was disallowed help to allow her to go from the call room to her event. Not for coaching or unfair advantage - but to allow her to safely navigate her way to the track in amongst other events, including Gout Gout’s 100m. 

She was denied the right to compete in the Long Jump and 400m as she was disallowed a request for assistance by Australian Athletics official, Brian Roe, for a carer to transition her to her event.

This is whilst able bodied athletes have the rights to have their coaches on the sidelines to assist them.

There is no risk that Juju would obtain an unfair advantage - she will never have the times or results to compete on an international level.

Rather her close to 20 years of therapy, where she had to learn to talk and overcome extraordinary hurdles, allowed her to qualify for 3 events.

In 2023, she was allowed carer support to allow her to compete. Today she was denied the same right.

This is discrimination and prevented her competing in the sport she loves so much and works tirelessly in. 

Please sign this petition to have Australian Athletics change their determination such that Juju can compete in her 200m on Sunday.