Like many Australians, Samantha Lilly loves sport — but sadly as a child, she always came last.
Not because she wasn’t talented or trying her hardest, but because she wasn’t competing against people like herself.
Lilly was born with achondroplasia, or dwarfism.
“I’ve come last my entire life,” she said.
“I would never actually make the sport teams because I wasn’t good enough, not fast enough and couldn’t kick high enough.”
Fast forward to today and not only is Lilly winning, but she’s wearing the green and gold for Australia at the World Dwarf Games, currently taking place in Cologne, Germany.
She is also the Australian team’s co-captain and flag-bearer, alongside basketballer Michael Spain.
The World Dwarf Games is the largest international sporting event exclusively for athletes with dwarfism, and like the Olympics and Paralympics, it is held every four years.
At this year’s event, Lilly is completing in Australia’s football and basketball teams.
Other events include archery and crossbow, badminton, boccia, powerlifting, swimming, track and field, table tennis and volleyball, with some sports modified to accommodate impairments.
Games established in 1993
Lilly, from Melbourne, is one of around 40 Australian competitors taking part in the games, along with more than 500 athletes from 20 countries.
She said the Paralympics was not a viable option for many short-statured people.
“So this does provide another pathway for people who do want to try … elite or semi-elite sport,” she said.
The first World Dwarf Games took place in the United States in 1993, with just 10 countries represented.
Australia sent its first team to the games in 2009, with Lilly one of 15 athletes to compete in Belfast, Ireland.
She brought home a swag of medals from the pool, including gold, and said it was the first time in her life she’d swum against people like herself.
“You’re like…is this what it feels like to actually be ahead of people … because every time you [compete] in a school race…you come stark raving last!” she said.
Competing on an even playing field
Maree Jenner from the NSW Central Coast is part of Australia’s administrative team.
She said it was great for the athletes to compete on an even playing field.
“When the children and the adults are on the same level as everyone else in the field, that makes a big difference — then they can see their potential,” she said.
For many short-statured people, a bigger issue they face regularly is discrimination.
“It doesn’t get called out to the same degree as racism and sexism do, I’m not too sure what the answer is?” Lilly said.
For now, Lilly and the hundreds of other athletes competing in the World Dwarf Games get their time to shine and show what they can do.
The World Dwarf Games wrap up on August 5.
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