Mother of Autistic Athlete Seeks Answers After Baffling Officials' Decisions
Mandy Mason openly acknowledges that her daughter Juliette will never become an Olympian, yet she remains determined to obtain answers following a perplexing ruling by a veteran official at the recent national athletics championships in Sydney. The decision has left the family confused and frustrated, highlighting broader issues within para sports administration.
Juliette's Passion for Athletics and Autism Diagnosis
Juliette Mason, aged 22, was diagnosed with level three autism when she was just 22 months old, and her life has presented significant challenges. Athletics serves as her primary passion, making the events that unfolded at Sydney Olympic Park earlier this month particularly heartbreaking for the young athlete and her family.
Known affectionately as 'Juju', she was scheduled to participate in para events, specifically the 400 metres and long jump competitions. Despite her mother submitting all necessary paperwork in advance, veteran Athletics Australia official Brian Roe refused to permit a carer to escort Juliette before her heat. This denial of essential support proved devastating for the athlete, who relies on familiar faces due to her condition.
A Pattern of Controversial Decisions
Incredibly, this was not an isolated incident. The same outcome occurred for Juliette at the 2025 national titles in Perth, with Roe again serving as the decision-maker. This pattern has raised serious questions about consistency and understanding within the sporting body's officiating protocols.
By contrast, Juliette competed without any issues in Brisbane during 2023, participating in the 100 metres, 200 metres, and long jump events within her para age division. The discrepancy between these experiences has only deepened the family's confusion and concern.
The Specifics of the Sydney Incident
While Mandy Mason cannot comment on the 2025 ruling from Perth because it is currently a Human Rights Commission case, she remains perplexed about Juliette being barred from the 400 metres in Sydney. "All that was required was to allow her carer to help with examination of Juliette's spikes, move her to an assigned group, walk her to the track and then allocate her lane," she explained to the Daily Mail.
"Due to her level of autism, Juliette only responds to familiar faces and voices, which is why we wanted a carer to assist her," Mason continued. "For me, this isn't solely about Juliette, it is about other athletes with autism or disabilities being denied the opportunity to do something they love by people who don't - or don't want to - understand the complexities behind certain conditions."
Inconsistent Application of Rules
In a particularly puzzling development, Roe subsequently allowed Juliette to compete in the long jump during the same Sydney meet with carer assistance. This inconsistency has further complicated the situation, suggesting arbitrary decision-making rather than adherence to clear, documented guidelines.
Seeking clarity on the matter, Mason contacted Australian Athletics CEO Simon Hollingsworth and president Jane Flemming, but has yet to receive any response from the organization's leadership. "Given we travelled from Perth to compete, it was devastating for Juju," she stated. "She’s not an athlete that’s going to get to the Olympics or anything like that, but she’s earned the right to compete, just like everyone else."
Systemic Issues Identified
Sport Integrity Australia has identified several systemic problems within Australian Athletics, notably the absence of documented guidance for officials on how to apply discretion when assessing requests and how World Para Athletics rules should be properly interpreted. "Yet we had the same outcome two years in a row," Mason noted with frustration. "We don't want special treatment... just for common sense to be applied."
Legal Support and Ongoing Proceedings
Such is the passion for justice in this case that leading Sydney barrister Evan James, who possesses a background in athletics, has agreed to work on Juliette's Human Rights Commission case pro bono alongside solicitor Jahan Kalantar. James informed the Daily Mail that the conciliation process remains ongoing, with hopes that both parties can reach a resolution in the near future.
When approached for comment by the Daily Mail, Australian Athletics declined to provide any statement regarding the matter, leaving many questions unanswered about their policies and decision-making processes concerning athletes with disabilities.
