Jackson Love v Athletics Australia

Jackson Love initiated legal proceedings against Athletics Australia in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, contesting his exclusion from the Australian team for the 2024 Paralympic Games. Love, a Paralympic athlete, argued that his exclusion was unjust and contrary to the organisation's own selection policies. The central dispute revolved around the criteria and procedures Athletics Australia employed in selecting its Paralympic team, as well as whether the organisation had acted fairly and transparently in its decision-making process.

The court was tasked with determining whether Athletics Australia had correctly applied its own selection criteria and procedures in making its decision, and whether the organisation had acted in a manner consistent with its own rules and regulations. The court also had to consider whether Love had established a valid case for his inclusion in the team, and whether the organisation had acted unfairly or unreasonably in excluding him.

In its judgment, the court found that Love had not successfully discharged the onus of proving that his exclusion was unjust or contrary to Athletics Australia's own selection policies. The court held that Athletics Australia had correctly applied its selection criteria and procedures, and that the organisation had acted fairly and transparently in making its decision. The court further found that Love had not demonstrated that he met the necessary criteria for inclusion in the team, and that the organisation's decision to exclude him was therefore justified. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and no further appeal, including to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, shall be allowed.