Amy Tobin

When Amy Tobin found frame running, her Paralympian dreams were finally within reach. The 27-year-old has used a wheelchair all her life but two years ago she ran for the first time. "I didn't think it was humanly possible, not being able to really walk ... running was kind of out of the question," Tobin, who has cerebral palsy, said. Racerunning, or frame running as it is known internationally, is a sport popular for people with cerebral palsy and other high-support needs. Tobin, the leading frame runner in the country, had been preparing to represent Australia at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games where the event was due to make its debut. But in a major blow to racerunners across the world, the event was not added to the Paralympics schedule. "It was absolutely devastating ... training six days a week and then to be told basically 'you're too disabled'," she said. An International Paralympic Committee (IPC) spokesperson said restrictions on the number of events meant several athletic disciplines, including frame running, were excluded from the schedule. "The total number of medal events, as well as the total number of athletes competing in the Games, is fixed in agreement with the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the Paris 2024 organising committee," the spokesperson said. "This meant that it was ultimately unable to include additional medal events, such as frame running, in its final medal event program. "We fully sympathise with the frame running athlete community and understand their disappointment."

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