General manager Craig Green said at the beginning of this year, the body had been approached by half a dozen parents wanting to know if their child could take part in the little athletics program.

“Parents were concerned about how they would fit in,” he said.

“With athletics, everyone gets the same opportunities to throw a shot put, to do long jump, or to run 400m.

“If you run 100 metres, everyone gets to run 100 metres.”

Mr Green, who is also the secretary of Bendigo Little Athletics, said athletics was fantastic, as everyone got the same opportunities, regardless of whether they had a disability or not.

“It’s more about you doing your best rather than comparing to anyone else,” he said.

“We’d love it if we had enough interest to start a program for people with intellectual disabilities. It would just be about being active and being involved and to keep fit and healthy.”

The athletics body oversees Bendigo Little Athletics, as well as affiliated clubs including the Bendigo Harriers, Bendigo University, Eaglehawk YMCA and South Bendigo.

Almost 400 children are registered with little athletics, ranging from five years to 15, and a further 265 people are involved with Bendigo Regional Athletics, with the oldest member being 84.

“All up there are around about 900 people that participate in some type of athletics over the year, whether that’s running or track and field,” Mr Green said.

“There’s quite a few people who have a disability and can go a long way.”

He pointed to the success of two Bendigonians – 10-time gold medallist, Paralympic champion Tim Sullivan, and Liam Richardson who represented Australia last year at the World Para Athletics Junior Championships.

Mr Green said the story of six-year-old Dylan highlighted anyone could take part in the sport.

“Dylan is just like any other kid,” he said.

“We don’t try to put them on a pedestal. We just encourage them to do their best and that’s the same with any kid.”

He said it was great to see Dylan’s mum, Lauren Wagner, share his story and show how proud she was of him.

“He’s improving as well and he’s got a smile on his face, which is what we think is important,” he said.