Claudia Hollingsworth Reinstated as 1500m Champion After Appeal
Claudia Hollingsworth has been reinstated as the winner of the women’s 1500-metre final at the Australian athletics championships following a successful appeal against her initial disqualification. The young athlete crossed the finish line in first place on Friday night but was later disqualified after making contact with Jess Hull on the home straight, causing the Olympic silver medallist to fall.
The incident led to an appeal from Hull’s team, resulting in Hollingsworth’s disqualification. However, her team challenged this decision, and referees reconvened on Saturday midday to review the case. After examining all available footage and interviewing involved parties, the panel upheld Hollingsworth’s appeal, leading to her reinstatement as the winner.
Australian Athletics (AA) issued a statement confirming the outcome. “Claudia Hollingsworth has been reinstated as the winner of the 1500m at the Australian athletics championships after an appeals process by Australian Athletics,” the statement read. “A request for a rerun of the 1500m is not feasible at this championships, but the Australian Athletics high-performance department and selection committees will review its status as a selection race.”
Updated results now show Hollingsworth winning the title in 4:17.06, with Sarah Billings taking second and Abbey Caldwell third. Billings was initially promoted to first place after Hollingsworth’s disqualification but has now moved back to second.
Hull, who had set herself the challenge of winning the 800m, 1500m, and 5000m titles this weekend—a feat never achieved at a single Australian championships—has withdrawn from the 800m after her fall. She is currently feeling stiff and has grazes and bruises but plans to go for a run on Sunday morning before deciding whether to compete in the 5000m final.
The Incident Unfolds
Hull was leading as the pack entered the home straight for the final time. Sensing someone trying to squeeze past her on the inside, she closed the rail, which is within the rules. Hollingsworth then attempted to get on Hull’s outside and gave her a tap, placing her right hand on Hull’s back. Frame-by-frame replays suggest that Hollingsworth’s right knee clipped Hull’s right foot as she tried to move around her.
Hollingsworth, visibly shocked as Hull fell, moved back into lane one and continued racing. Despite the incident, Hull managed to finish last, though she was seen signing autographs and taking selfies with fans shortly after the race.
What Hull Had to Say
“I felt like I had just hit my last gear and I got tapped. I was closing the rail because I knew someone was there, and I just went down… When you’re going that fast, the slightest bump makes you just hit the track,” Hull said, reflecting on the incident.
What Hollingsworth Had to Say
“It was all an accident obviously, but we’re all competitive out there and just want to do our best and win, especially for the national title,” Hollingsworth said prior to being disqualified. “There’s going to be some pushing and shoving. I understand. I never like to see it happen like that.”
Hollingsworth described Hull as a “really clever racer” and “experienced.” “I respect her so much and it’s unfortunate that happened,” she added.
After crossing the finish line, Hollingsworth walked over to Hull and they hugged. She also apologised, and Hull accepted it gracefully.
“When I cross the line I normally like to finish with a big smile on my face,” Hollingsworth told reporters. “I like to think that I finish really happy, and yeah, definitely mixed feelings. I never want to see a teammate like that fall down… [I’m] definitely gonna have a chat to her and make sure she’s OK.”
Other Highlights from the Championships
Cameron Myers, a 19-year-old from Canberra, delivered a dominant performance in the men’s 1500m final, winning in 3:29.85—the fastest time ever recorded on Australian soil. This time was just slightly outside Olli Hoare’s national record of 3:29.41.
“My plan coming to the champs was to run a 3:29 if I could, or a 3:28,” Myers said. “I just went and attacked that, and I got close. It’s awesome to win the national title with a sub-3:30 time.”
Myers’ 2025 season was affected by injury and illness, but he has made a strong return with recent performances in the US, Melbourne, and now Sydney.
