New ruling bans cross country champion from competing due to dwarfism

Some people are born for greatness and 14-year-old Hugo knows he was born to run.

Hugo has the most common form of dwarfism, known as achondroplasia.

But that hasn't stopped the teenager from hitting his stride in long distance running.

READ MORE: Family's desperate plea for funding to treat boy's rare genetic disorder

Last year he was crowned champion for his age group in the 3 kilometre race at the Australian Cross Country Championships.

But Athletics Australia has crushed the Year 9 student's big dreams of being a Paralympian because of a new ruling.

Now short stature people can't compete in events longer than 400 metres at a national level.

Watch the full video in the player above.

FULL ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA STATEMENT

Athletics Australia has a proud history of supporting para athletes competing in events from the grassroots to the elite level, with inclusion a core value of the organisation.

School Sport Australia's National Cross Country Championships is not an event run by Athletics Australia. Like other National Sporting Organisations, Athletics Australia has long had technical guidelines, informed by the global peak bodies of the sport, worldwide best practise and the pathways to major international events – none of which are new.

SSA run their athletics events using Athletics Australia's guidelines.

Athletics Australia is committed to reviewing its technical guidelines ahead of our own 2025 Australian Cross Country season and will seek further clarification from peak bodies including Paralympics Australia, World Para Athletics and the International Dwarf Sports Federation.